This comes to us by way of the American Automobile Association, the U.S. version of CAA. The findings from the Association's recent research into the benefits of premium fuel is interesting to say the least.

For more, see the official statement below.

NOTE: The Genesis G80 Sport pictured above is designed to run on either premium or regular fuel. Genesis Motors notes performance and fuel economy may vary depending on fuel choice.

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Don’t Be Fueled: Premium Not Always Worth the PriceAAA tests show premium fuel benefits some vehicles, but comes at a high cost

ORLANDO, Fla. (Dec. 12, 2017) - According to new research from AAA, premium gasoline offers some benefit to select vehicles, but is becoming increasingly expensive for drivers. In recent years, the price gap between premium and regular-grade gasoline has risen from a historically steady 10 percent to 25 percent or more per gallon. While past AAA research has shown no benefit in using premium gasoline in a vehicle designed to operate on regular fuel, new testing indicates that some vehicles – those that recommend, but do not require premium gasoline – may see increased fuel economy and performance under certain driving conditions when using the higher-octane gasoline. Unfortunately, the high cost of premium gasoline may outweigh that advantage for many drivers. As a result, AAA recommends drivers weigh the potential benefits against the cost of using premium gasoline, if their vehicle does not require it.

“AAA’s testing reveals that drivers could see modest gains in fuel economy and performance when opting for premium gasoline in vehicles that recommend, but do not require, the higher-octane fuel,” said Megan McKernan, manager of the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center. “Those seeking the maximum capabilities of their performance-focused or utility vehicle may see some benefit from using premium gasoline, particularly over the long haul.”

In partnership with the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center, AAA tested a variety of vehicles that recommend, but do not require, the use of premium (91 octane or higher) gasoline. Although drivers of these vehicles are unlikely to see any benefit from using premium gasoline during typical city or highway driving, a combination of laboratory and on-road tests were performed to simulate extreme driving scenarios such as towing, hauling cargo and aggressive acceleration. When using premium fuel in these vehicles under these conditions, AAA tests found that:

According to national averages, the price difference between regular and premium gasoline is approximately 20 to 25 percent, or 50 cents per gallon.

The modest fuel economy improvements found in AAA tests do not offset the higher cost of premium gasoline.

“There’s no question that higher-octane premium fuel has the potential to boost a vehicle’s fuel economy and performance, however, engines have to be calibrated to require that fuel to see the full benefit,” said John Nielsen, AAA’s managing director of Automotive Engineering and Repair. “Based on AAA’s testing, vehicles that only recommend premium gasoline can’t take full advantage of higher octane fuel and, as a result, the benefit that comes from upgrading to premium gasoline may not offset its high cost.”

Last year, nearly 1.5 million new vehicles sold in the United States recommend, but do not require, premium gasoline. The trend toward recommending or requiring higher-octane fuel continues to rise as manufacturers work toward meeting stringent CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards. However, a vehicle that requires the more expensive premium gasoline may dissuade a car buyer, leaving automakers to balance higher performance with what consumers desire. Rising prices for premium gasoline, coupled with great variation in prices across the country, compounds this issue. AAA urges drivers who use premium gasoline to shop around for the best price, as it could vary dramatically between gas stations in any given city. The AAA Mobile app, available for iPhone, iPad and Android, can help drivers identify the least expensive premium gasoline near them.

“The gap between premium and regular gas has been steadily rising since 2009, with the most dramatic increase occurring in the last two years,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA gas price expert. “Fewer than five years ago, only a 10 percent gap existed between premium and regular. Today, that spread has doubled with premium gasoline costing almost 50 cents more per gallon and is still climbing despite the fact that consumer demand for premium isn’t necessarily increasing.”

For those vehicles that do not recommend or require premium gasoline, AAA suggests drivers opt for the lower priced, regular fuel. In a study released last year, AAA found that consumers wasted nearly $2.1 billion dollars fueling these vehicles with higher-octane gasoline. However, drivers of vehicles that require premium gasoline should always use it. Additionally, any vehicle that makes a “pinging” or “knocking” sound while using regular gasoline should be evaluated by a repair facility and likely switched to a higher-octane fuel. Drivers seeking a higher quality fuel for their vehicle should consider using one that meets Top Tier standards, as previous AAA research found it to keep engines up to 19 times cleaner.

The full report, fact sheet and other information regarding this study can be found on the AAA website.

Photo courtesy of Genesis Motors

]]>Tue, 12 Dec 2017 20:39:21 GMThttp://www.prnmag.com/news/motoring/3160-premium-fuel-worth-the-priceReview: 2017 Los Angeles Auto Showhttp://www.prnmag.com/news/motoring/3159-review-2017-los-angeles-auto-show
Last week, Ignition attended the media preview days ahead of the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show to get a first look at some of the new luxury and performance vehicles bound for Canadian showrooms in 2018. In our preview here, we mentioned some of the vehicles we expected to see unveiled in Los Angeles.

Most of the vehicles we mentioned were shown, along with a few surprises we didn’t anticipate. Listed below, in alphabetical order, are the ones that caught our eye and are worth looking out for in the year ahead. For the purposes of this review, we're focusing primarily on cars that had not been revealed at all or are being shown in North America for the first time.

BMW

The Munich-based company staged a lengthy press conference that included several North American reveals, along with one world premiere. We’re going to focus on two of those here. First up is the 2018 M3 CS (above), a low-volume special-edition variant of the M3 sports sedan. The M3 CS makes extensive use of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the chassis to help bring the weight in at 25 percent less than the standard M3. The powerplant is a M TwinPower Turbo 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine that produces 453 horsepower and 443 lb-ft. of torque. The M3 CS is a very quick car with a 0-100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds and a top track speed of 280 km/h. Canadian allocation and pricing hasn’t yet been revealed, but if you’re interested you’d better contact your BMW retailer soon because they won’t last long. Ordering is set to begin in the spring.

The second big unveiling was the world premiere of the 2019 i8 roadster (above), the first ever droptop version of BMW’s hybrid supercar. Like the coupe, the roadster is powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor and an 9.4 kWh lithium-ion battery. Total power output is rated at 369 horsepower that can launch the all-wheel drive i8 roadster to 100 km/h from rest in just 4.6 seconds. The i8 roadster features extensive use of CFRP and aluminum in its chassis and body panels which helps it check in at a rather trim 1,595 kg. The launch of the roadster, along with the refreshed 2019 i8 coupe, is slated for spring. BMW Canada has indicated pricing will be announced closer to on-sale.

Chevrolet

Ignition was present for the reveal of the 2019 Corvette ZR1 coupe and convertible (above) thanks to the generosity of General Motors of Canada. We have a separate report that examines the car in greater detail (available here), but here’s a brief rundown of what you need to know about this monster ‘Vette: both cars are powered by a 6.2-litre LT5 supercharged V8 that produces 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft. of torque. Two transmissions are available, a seven-speed manual and an eight-speed automatic (first ever autobox for the ZR1). The 0-60 mph (96.6 km/h) time is less than three seconds, with a top speed of 210+ mph (338 km/h). GM Canada did not announce pricing or allocation for Canada, but both models are slated to go on sale next spring.

Infiniti

Nissan’s luxury division had two big SUV reveals in L.A., one North American, one worldwide. The 2019 QX50 mid-size (above) was shown for the first time in production trim. Carrying the brand’s new Powerful Elegance design language, the new QX50 marks a significant departure from the outgoing model. Built on an all-new platform, the QX50 will be powered by a 2.0-litre variable compression (VC) turbocharged engine that can adjust its compression ratio on demand for better power and efficiency. Output is rated at 268 horsepower and 280 lb-ft. of torque. The only transmission available will be the company’s Xtronic CVT that works in concert with standard all-wheel drive. The QX50 will go on sale early next summer. Pricing will be revealed closer to on-sale.

The full-size 2018 QX80 (above), first revealed at the Dubai Motor Show last month marks a design refresh for Infiniti’s three-row, seven-seater. Like the 2019 QX50, the QX80 incorporates Infiniti’s Powerful Elegance design language, which is most apparent at the front where the vehicle gets a new front fascia, grille and headlights. Modest updates to the interior are also on tap. Under the skin, the powertrain is unchanged: 5.6-litre V8 (400 hp / 413 lb-ft.) mated to a seven-speed automatic. The 2018 QX80 goes on sale early next year. Pricing should be announced in the coming weeks.

Lexus

Lexus took the wraps off a three-row, seven-passenger RX 350L (above), a longer variant of the brand’s popular mid-size SUV. The 2018 RX 350L is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 that produces 290 horsepower and 263 lb-ft. of torque, is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and can be equipped with AWD. A hybrid version, the RX 350hL, pairs the 3.5L V6 with two electric motors for a combined 308 horsepower. The RX 350L goes on sale early next year, with the hybrid model following in the spring. Pricing for both models will be revealed closer to on-sale.

Lincoln

In one of the more intriguing moves in L.A., Lincoln revealed the 2019 Nautilus (above), a facelifted MKX mid-size that will see the brand retire the alphabet-soup name when the new car goes on sale next summer. Like other new and updated Lincolns of late, such as the Continental, Navigator, MKC and MKZ, the Nautilus will feature the brand’s large signature grille with a prominent star emblem and new headlights. The interior also receives an update which will include available Ultra Comfort 22-way adjustable seats, a 12.3-inch digital configurable instrument cluster and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Two engines are available: a standard 2.0-litre four-cylinder that produces 245 horsepower, and a 2.7-litre V6 (335 hp / 380 lb-ft.). Both engines are mated to a standard eight-speed automatic transmission and come with AWD. Canadian pricing will be revealed closer to on-sale.

Mercedes-Benz

The big reveal for Mercedes in L.A. was the 2019 CLS (above), a sleek, four-door coupe that is slated to begin arriving at Canadian dealers next summer. All models will be powered by an all-new 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine that produces 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft. mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The new CLS also carries Mercedes’ new design language that emphasizes, ‘clear contours and reduced lines’ according to the company, which means sharp, wedge-style LED headlights and a trapezoidal pin grille, like other Mercedes cars of late. On the inside, the new CLS will be available with a ‘widescreen’ cockpit, like the one in the new E-Class, which employs twin 12.3-inch digital displays that are housed under a single glass cover. The CLS will also feature Mercedes’ full suite of advanced safety and semi-autonomous tech, with some AMG kit thrown in for good measure, notably in the form of standard 19-inch wheels. Pricing will be released closer to on-sale.

Porsche

Three new Porsche models made their North American debuts in L.A. Two new 2018 GTS models have been added to the range for the 718 Cayman and 718 Boxster (above). The big story with these cars is the increased power being extracted from the 2.5-litre turbocharged flat four-cylinder engine which, thanks to a new intake plenum, produces 365 horsepower and 317 lb-ft. of torque. Like other 718s, a six-speed manual transmission is standard, with a seven-speed PDK automatic available as an option. 0-60 mph (96.6 km/h) has been pegged at 3.9 seconds, with a top track speed of 180 mph (290 km/h). Porsche Torque Vectoring, the Sport Chrono Package and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), which adjusts the ride height up to 10 mm, also come standard. Both models are available for pre-order now and will go on sale in the first quarter of 2018 with starting MSRPs of $90,600 for the Cayman GTS and $93,000 for the Boxster GTS.

Porsche also showed the 2018 911 Carrera T (above), which harkens back to the 1968 original both in terms of style and structure. The Carrera T is lighter, has a manual transmission and comes with a shorter transaxle ratio and a mechanical rear differential lock. Other standard kit includes PASM Sport Suspension with a 10 mm lower ride height, shorter gear shifter (with a red shift pattern), and optional rear-axle steering. The Carrera T is powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat six-cylinder engine that produces 370 horsepower and 331 lb-ft. of torque, which can produce a 0-60 mph (96.6 km/h) time of 4.3 seconds and a top track speed of 182 mph (293 km/h). Manual and PDK transmissions are available. The 911 Carrera T is now available for pre-order, and goes on sale in the first quarter of 2018 with a starting price of $116,500.

LOS ANGELES – When Dodge unveiled the 800-plus horsepower 2018 Challenger SRT Demon at the New York Auto Show back in April, among my first thoughts were – after I picked my jaw up off the Javits Center floor, of course – who’s next and how long are we going to have to wait to see it?

We can now answer those questions thusly: Chevrolet and about seven months.

On the eve of the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show – which opens to the public today and runs through Dec. 10 – Chevrolet took the wraps off its own low-volume, mega-horsepower machine with the reveal of the 2019 Corvette ZR1 coupe and convertible (okay, technically the coupe was revealed at the Dubai Motor Show in mid-November, but the Stateside reveal is the one that really matters).

As the photos show, the 2019 ZR1 has the look of a serious performance machine although its distinguishing features only become apparent upon closer inspection, which I will get to shortly.

First, the meat of the car's performance profile:

- 6.2-litre supercharged LT5 V8 engine; a variant of the Z06’s LT4 motor that utilizes GM’s first-ever dual-fuel injection system (direct and port) along with a supercharger that has 52 percent more displacement than the one bolted to the LT4- Output: 755 horsepower / 715 lb-ft. torque- 7-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission (first ZR1 available with an automatic)- 0-60 mph (96.6 km/h) in less than three seconds- Top speed of 210+ mph (338 km/h)

As you may have guessed by now, the 2019 ZR1 will be the fastest and most powerful production Corvette ever built.

In terms of the bodywork, Corvette engineers have sprinkled the 2019 ZR1 with lots of their finest aerodynamic magic dust.

It will come standard with a Low Wing, which is designed for maximum speed, while the optional two-way adjustable High Wing is designed for peak downforce for fast lap times at the track. The High Wing will generate about 950 pounds (431 kg) of downforce, which is roughly 60 percent more that the Z06 equipped with the Z07 Performance Package. Motorsports knowledge is also put to good use here as both wings are attached to the ZR1’s chassis for extra strength and stability, just like the championship-winning C7.R racecar that competes in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar series.

The High Wing is a part of the ZTK Performance Package which also includes a front splitter with carbon fibre end caps, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 summer tires and unique chassis and Magnetic Ride Control tuning.

Other aero enhancements include Chevrolet’s first-ever front underwing to add extra downforce, along with ZR1-specific front fascia that houses four new radiators and a carbon fibre hood that has a cut-out that allows for an exposed engine cover.

Like other Corvette models, the 2019 ZR1 will have a well-stocked interior that includes, among other things, a driver-focused cockpit with standard leather seats with sueded microfibre inserts. Heated and ventilated Nappa leather seats will be available, along with a carbon fibre-rimmed steering wheel, competition sport seats, Bose audio, Performance Data Recorder and more.

In terms of other unique content, the 2019 ZR1 will be offered with a Sebring Orange Design Package (convertible, pictured), which includes a Sebring Orange Tintcoat exterior finish, along with orange brake calipers, rocker and splitter accent stripes, seat belts, interior stitching and bronze aluminum interior trim.

The full 2019 ZR1 colour gamut will be fully fleshed out in the new year, but expect many of the same options offered on other Corvette models. Additional ZR1-specific schemes may also be announced.

The reveal was a static one, but there should be a slow dribble of footage showing the ZR1 in action as its Spring 2018 on-sale draws closer.

Will Ignition get to drive one? Hard to know for sure, but we’re not holding our breath. I asked a GM Canada rep while I was in L.A. about the possibility of the 2019 ZR1 arriving on the press fleet – even briefly – and was told they aren’t sure if they will be able to get one or not.

Canadian pricing and allocation aren't yet available, but the 2019 ZR1 will be a low-volume car so it’ll likely be a rare sight on our roads. I was told pre-orders haven’t yet begun in Canada but should go live soon. GM Canada reps in L.A. said that pricing will be announced closer to on-sale, so that likely means sometime in the new year.

For what it's worth, US MSRPs were announced during the reveal: USD$119,995 for the coupe, USD$123,995 for the convertible.

Just for added context, Corvette year-to-date sales in Canada are up almost 16 percent through the end of November and while the car’s market remains small, with 1,965 units sold it is outselling more mainstream vehicles such as the Acura ILX, Lexus ES and Nissan Juke.

For those of us that care deeply about high-performance cars this is great news and it bodes well for the arrival of the 2019 Corvette ZR1.

Note: This article will be updated once Canadian pricing and additional product details have been announced.

Photography by Lee BailieSales data courtesy of goodcarbadcar.net

]]>Fri, 01 Dec 2017 19:12:14 GMThttp://www.prnmag.com/news/motoring/3158-chevrolet-unveils-the-755-horsepower-2019-corvette-zr12017 Los Angeles Auto Show previewhttp://www.prnmag.com/news/motoring/3157-2017-los-angeles-auto-show-preview
With the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show kicking off next week with press preview days (Nov. 29 – 30) in advance of the show opening to the public on Dec. 1, we thought we’d put together a list of anticipated reveals for the final big car show of the year.

Compiled below are the debuts from luxury and performance manufacturers that have been confirmed for L.A., along with a list of additional carmakers that have reveals scheduled.

Ignition will be on site at the Los Angeles Convention Center to cover the big reveals as they happen so be sure to check back here and on our Facebook page.

Audi

Confirmed to be shown at L.A. is the 2019 A8, along with something else for which there are no details as of now. The 2019 A8 was previously shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show this past September. The biggest Audi sedan is due to begin arriving in Canada in next summer, and two models have been confirmed for our market: the A8L 55, powered by a 3.0L turbocharged V6 (340 hp / 369 lb-ft.) and the A8L 60 which comes with a 4.0L turbocharged V8 (460 hp / 487 lb-ft.). Both are long-wheelbase models (hence the L designation), and come with an eight-speed automatic and Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system.

BMW

The Munich-based automaker has confirmed the M3 CS special edition (above) will make its world debut in L.A., along with a slew of other products which have been show previously, including the pure-electric i Vision Dynamics four-door Gran Coupe, the i3s, a sportier and more powerful variant of the all-electric i3 compact and the 8 Series Concept coupe. Making their North American debuts will be the all-new M5 and the 6 Series Gran Turismo. The X7 iPerformance Concept SUV, which was first shown in Frankfurt will make its first U.S. appearance in L.A. after being shown in Toronto in mid-October.

Genesis

The G70 compact luxury sports sedan, which shares a platform with the Kia Stinger, will make its North American debut in L.A. after first being revealed in Korea this past September. North American spec models have yet to be confirmed, but Canada is a good bet to receive both gas engines being offered, a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder (248 hp / 260 lb-ft.) and a 3.3-litre turbocharged V6 (365 hp / 376 lb-ft.). A 2.2-litre turbo diesel four will also be available, but is unlikely to come to North America. All-wheel drive is so far unconfirmed, but likely given its standard kit on G80s and G90s currently sold in Canada.

Infiniti

Infiniti has two items on its reveal docket for L.A. The first is a world premiere, while the second is the production version of the refreshed 2018 QX80 full-size SUV (above) which had its world reveal at the Dubai Motor Show earlier this month. The changes are primarily on the outside where the QX80 receives a new front fascia with new headlights and a new grille and bumper treatment. New tail lights are also included with this update. Under the skin, the 5.6L V8 (400 hp / 413 lb-ft.) carries over as does the seven-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. The 2018 QX80 is expected to go on sale by the end of the year.

Jaguar / Land Rover

Several reveals are on the docket for these British brands in L.A., led by the 2018 Jaguar E-Pace compact SUV and the Range Rover SV Autobiography, which will be making its world debut. Among the other vehicles to be shown are the i-PACE eTrophy Prototype and the Land Rover Discovery SVX Concept (North American debuts), along with the first auto show appearance for the 575-horsepower 2018 Jaguar XJR575 (above), the most powerful XJ sedan the company has ever built.

Lexus

Toyota’s luxury brand recently confirmed the 2018 RX 350L, a three-row variant of its popular, Canadian-built SUV will debut in L.A. No other details have been revealed as of yet.

Lincoln

Lincoln has a world premiere scheduled, but two SUVs will also be in attendance, the all-new 2018 full-size Navigator and the compact 2019 MKC (above), which receives a mid-cycle refresh. The 2018 Navigator is on sale now, and the 2019 MKC is set to arrive in dealers next summer.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes isn’t saying much about the forthcoming world premiere of the 2019 CLS, but the four-door coupe is due for an update, having last been refreshed in 2014. Current Canadian models include the 550 4MATIC powered by a 4.6L V8 (402 hp / 443 lb-ft.) mated to an 9-speed automatic and the 63 S 4MATIC, which has the 5.5L biturbo V8 (577 hp / 590 lb-ft.) paired with a 7-speed multi-clutch automatic.

Porsche

The Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer has a world premiere scheduled but has so far not indicated what it will be. Also expected to be at the Porsche stand is the all-new 2019 Cayenne SUV (Turbo model above), which was originally shown at Frankfurt. It will go on sale in Canada next summer.

Volvo

The Swedish carmaker is expected to bring the compact 2019 XC40 SUV to North America for the first time, after it was first revealed in Milan this past September. Built on the company’s new compact modular architecture platform (CMA), the XC40 will be available in Canada as a T5 variant with all-wheel drive and a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine (250 hp / 258 lb-ft.) mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Momentum and R-Design trims are slated to arrive next spring, with Inscription models due by summer.

These manufacturers will also have new product reveals in L.A.: General Motors (Chevrolet), Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru and Toyota.

Late last night, as I’m sure some of you surely have heard by now, Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled an all-new model, and it’s quite a sight.

Effectively changing the channel from the recent bad news regarding production delays that have almost ground deliveries of the Model 3 to a halt, Musk rolled out the sleek new Roadster at a special reveal party in Hawthorne, California.

Finished in a shade of cherry red, the Roadster is a sleek and gorgeous two-door that has hints of Ferrari, Porsche and McLaren in its sleek lines and design details.

With a 0-60 mph (96.6 km/h) time of 1.9 seconds and a top speed in excess of 250 mph (402 km/h), the Roadster is the fastest production car ever built.

Musk confirmed the Roadster has a 200-kWh battery pack, three electric motors (one front, two rear), all-wheel drive and torque steering. It also has seating for four and a removable glass roof (hence the Roadster moniker) that can be stored in the trunk.

In terms of range, according to Musk the Roadster can travel almost 1,000 km (620 miles), which would allow a user to drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco and back without recharging. This figure is more than twice that of the Model S 75D.

As for pricing and availability, Roadster reservations are available now through Tesla’s website. To get on the list, you’ll need to pay USD$50,000 on a base Roadster which carries a USD$200,000 MSRP.

A Founder’s Series model, which has even more performance, is also available but if you want one of those you’ll have to pay the full USD$250,000 MSRP up front to get your hands on one of 1,000 copies Tesla is scheduled to build. Canadian pricing hasn’t been announced for either model.

As you might have guessed, the Roadster won’t be available for a while. Musk said production isn’t scheduled to begin until 2020, and given Tesla’s history of production delays, it could be even later than that.

Still, if we get an opportunity to drive one someday, Tesla won’t have to ask us twice.

If the 2018 Audi TT RS is indicative of what Audi Sport is and where it’s going, then I say let’s have more of it.

The latest entry in Audi’s ever-expanding roster of high-performance vehicles, the TT RS embodies everything a sports coupe should be: sexy, powerful and oh so fast.

As some may recall, I recently ran the 2018 Audi RS 3 through the TWPC process and came away impressed with that car’s impressive performance pedigree, its abundance of technology and sharp styling.

I have similar feelings about the TT RS, which is closely related to the RS 3, as both are built on the same MQB (modular transverse matrix) platform that underpins numerous cars within the Volkswagen Group, including the Volkswagen Golf, Audi A3 and even the seven-seat Volkswagen Atlas SUV.

Not only does the TT RS share a platform with the RS 3, but it also has the same drivetrain: a 2.5-litre turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine that cranks out 400 horsepower and 354 lb-ft. of torque mated to a seven-speed S tronic (dual-clutch) automatic transmission and Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system.

Like the RS 3, the TT RS is a very fast car—faster even: 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds (compared to 4.1 for the RS 3) with a top speed of 250 km/h. An optional sport package (a $1,750 extra) boosts that number to 280 km/h, but my tester isn’t so equipped. See below for the full list of optional equipment.

While the RS 3 is attractive for a sedan, the TT RS is a simply gorgeous car, and much of it owes to its sleek coupe format. The TT has been a looker since the first generation debuted in 1998 and it remains so almost 20 years later.

The look of the third-gen car is reflective of current Audi design language so, in practical terms, this means lots of lines that run at sharp angles in squarish patterns, which give the car a creased, lean appearance. Despite the design evolution, this car is still evocative of the first gen. Not as bulbous and cutesy, sure, but the outline of the old car is clearly present. Credit Audi designers for leaning into the TT’s classic form and keeping it fresh.

My tester is the TT in its most aggressive form, and while I’m generally not fond of white cars, the glacier white finish looks great. The black optics package ($850), with its blacked-out mirror caps, front blade below the massive hexagonal grille and large rear diffuser perfectly offset the brightness of the paint finish. If you’re considering white for your TT RS purchase, I recommend the black optics package. The contrast it creates is striking.

As appealing as the TT RS is on the outside, its cabin is even more inviting, and if you’re a fan of the R8, you’re going to love what Audi designers have done here because the nods to the big car are plentiful.

From the steering wheel hub-mounted red starter button to climate controls mounted in the air vent hubs and the stunning 12.3-inch TFT (thin film transistor) display to the sport seats complete with diamond-pattern red stitching, the TT RS borrows liberally from the R8 and to great effect.

The seats offer great support, are quite comfortable and wrap nicely around occupants. I especially like the ability to extend the seat cushion for extra support even though I am not especially tall. A comfortable driving position is paramount for any car and the TT RS offers plenty of adjustability.

I will admit that you might go searching for the climate controls and switches at first, but once you’re acquainted with where they are, using them will become second nature. Same goes for Audi’s multi-media interface (MMI). The console-mounted metallic knob, like interfaces used in other cars, works intuitively with inputs that become ingrained after a short time – scrolling, pushing down, tapping up / left / right, etc.

Not having a separate infotainment screen to look at feels a bit strange at first because most cars have a screen affixed to, or imbedded in, the centre stack. Not so with the TT RS, as the virtual cockpit in the instrument cluster displays all: navigation, stereo, speedo, tach, you name it.

As it is in other Audi products, the virtual cockpit’s TFT screen is beautiful – pin-sharp resolution with gorgeous colour contrast and sharp graphical design. It’s the most dazzling automotive display I’ve seen, and I’ve seen some good ones.

I must admit it can be a bit distracting at first if you’ve been staring at white-faced analogue gauges for years, but once you get used to it – and let’s face it, most of us are already used to staring at similar screens every day – it won’t seem unusual.

And Audi hasn’t forgotten how we like to be entertained by screens, either. Like the RS 3, the TT RS display also features a boost gauge that displays real-time horsepower and torque output. As I said about these in the RS 3, they are functional but they’re also there to entertain – and they are entertaining.

As for the drive, the TT RS doesn’t disappoint.

Like the RS 3, the TT RS is bad fast in all modes, from regular drive with the drive select in normal, all the way to sport combined with dynamic mode, this car is easy fast.

The only questions are how twitchy do you like your acceleration, how farty do you want the exhaust note to sound and how fast do you want the S tronic gearbox to shift through its seven cogs. The 2.5-litre turbo five is a hot tamale of a powerplant, so regardless of which mode setting you choose, the outside world blurs quickly.

Like all Audi Sport models, the TT RS is stiffly sprung by design, so you’ll want to take care over rougher roads, but the car’s handling is knife-edged, responsive and quick – just what an RS model should be. I haven’t had the good fortune of tracking the TT RS (yet), but it is indeed track-ready out of the box.

As for drawbacks, I didn’t really find much wrong with the TT RS beyond the usual compromises one must accept when purchasing a coupe: reduced rearward visibility, limited cargo capacity and a tight back seat better suited to transporting small objects than people.

Otherwise, the TT RS offers a compelling package of performance, technology and style.

With a $72,900 base MSRP, the TT RS isn’t inexpensive, but most of the options on my tester are of the cosmetic variety – you can safely forgo them and still enjoy the car’s impressive core performance profile.

As I said at the outset, Audi Sport is in its ascendancy with more exciting and dynamic models on the way. Performance enthusiasts rejoice!

BOWMANVILLE, Ont. – Time to grab my clipboard and pen, throw on a lanyard and jump into as many vehicles as humanly possible over two days to determine which one is best.

What am I talking about?

Why TestFest, of course, the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada’s (AJAC) annual testing program that is used to determine the Canadian Car and Utility Vehicle of the Year.

Now before I dive in here, I should mention that I have been an AJAC member since 2012 and have participated in TestFest every year since. I am also a voting member for the Canadian Car of the Year (CCOTY) program, with this year marking the third consecutive that I’ve entered ballots.

This year, the program was altered a bit to encourage more manufacturers to submit entries for consideration and it seems to have worked. Total entries this year tallied 56 (there were just 34 last year), and manufacturers that didn’t send cars last year, including Nissan-Infiniti and Jaguar Land Rover, entered cars this time around.

It is also worth noting, however, that some manufacturers who have participated in the past (including BMW, Ford and Mercedes-Benz) did not send cars to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP) north of Bowmanville, Ontario, the site for TestFest for the third year running. Some wanted to maintain observer status this year, while others didn’t have cars available due to later production dates.

Aside from a greater number of entries, another difference is this year’s event did not feature the same-day, back-to-back category testing that the Canadian Car of the Year (CCOTY) program has used since its inception.

In its place, the AJAC board elected to make the testing program a year-round affair, where members would be available to vote on all vehicles they've driven / reviewed.

As regular visitors know, I publish a lot of reviews for Ignition, both here and in print, so this is a change I welcome – and if it helps encourage more manufacturers to participate in the CCOTY, so much the better.

With this reality in mind, not only for myself but for many other AJAC members, TestFest has been recalibrated to provide an opportunity to test and vote on vehicles that may not have been driven previously. It also enables members to re-familiarize themselves with models they may not have driven recently.

As for yours truly, with the program's test days being reduced from four to two, combined with the fact that I had already driven most of the cars in my assigned categories (small premium car, large premium utility and premium sports & performance), I didn’t test as many vehicles as some of my colleagues did during TestFest – my total rose to just 15. But this isn’t an issue as I’ve driven many more vehicles throughout the year and will be voting on them.

The category winners will be announced in December, and the 2018 Canadian Car and Utility Vehicle of the Year will both be revealed at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto next February. For more information on the program, go to ajac.ca.

It’s fair to think of the TT RS as a two-door version of the RS 3 I drove last week. Not fraternal twins, but definitely related.

Like the RS 3, the TT RS is powered by a 2.5L turbocharged five-cylinder engine mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic that drives all four wheels and produces 400 horsepower and 354 lb-ft. of torque.

One of the key differences, however, is the 0-100 km/h time. Whereas it takes the RS 3 4.1 seconds to go from rest to 100 km/h, it only takes 3.7 seconds in the TT RS. Like the RS 3, the TT RS has a top speed of 250 km/h, which can be raised to 280 km/h if you opt for the sport package.

Like it’s four-door sibling, the TT RS is built on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB (Modular Transverse Matrix) platform, which also underpins the Audi A3, the Volkswagen Golf and the Volkswagen Tiguan, among many others.

The TT, which also includes the base TT coupe and convertible along with the TTS coupe, is now in its third-generation. All models are built by subsidiary Audi Hungaria Motor Kft in Győr, Hungary.

Aside from the powertrain, the character of the TT RS differs from the RS 3 as the former is much more of a sports car than the latter. While both are members of the ever-growing line-up of Audi Sport models, the two-door TT RS reminds this writer a lot of its big brother, the R8.

Look for my impressions of the 2018 TT RS in the verdict, which will be posted next week.

About a year ago, I had the privilege of sampling the then-new 2017 Audi R8 Spyder in Barcelona – the life of a car journalist is such hardship, I know – and during that trip the president of Audi Sport, Stephan Winkelmann, said there are more cars like the R8 Spyder on the way. Growing its high-performance arm is a top priority for the company.

Alright, so how many cars are we talking about here? Eight, according to Winkelmann, over the next 18 months dating from the fall of 2016.

Well, here we are a year later, and not only do we now have the R8 Spyder in market, but we also have the RS 5 coupe, the TT RS coupe (I’ll have more to say on that one next week) and the subject of TWPC, the RS 3 sedan. Add in a couple of RS 7s and the Audi Sport model range now stands at six with more on the way.

The RS 3 sedan comes to us by way of the Volkswagen Group’s MQB (modular transverse matrix) platform, which underpins a growing roster of cars within the VW family these days. Everything from the compact Golf hatchback, to the full-size, seven-seat Atlas SUV is based on it, not to mention the Audi A3 family and a whole whack of Seats and Skodas, brands we don’t see in North America, but with models built on MQB nevertheless.

As it is for all performance vehicles, power is key and the RS 3 comes packed with a ton of it. Audi engineers have stuffed a 2.5-litre turbocharged inline five-cylinder powerplant into the engine bay of the RS 3 that cranks out 400 horsepower and 354 lb-ft. of torque, eye-popping numbers for what remains a compact car.

Putting that power to the ground has been tasked to Audi’s seven-speed S tronic (dual-clutch) automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels via the company’s quattro all-wheel drive system.

Not surprisingly, with all that power the RS 3 is a very fast car: 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h. My tester is equipped with a sport package (a $1,750 extra) that boosts that number to 280 km/h. See below for the full list of optional equipment.

Aesthetically, the RS 3 has the appearance of a gussied-up A3, and I don’t mean that in a bad way – it’s an attractive car, but it isn’t worlds apart from its sibling. Finished in Nardo grey, a solid wet cement-coloured shade that really flatters my tester’s generous helpings of blacked out trim (black optics package, $850), the RS 3 retains the A3’s angular lines and Audi family design cues such as the hexagonal grille, wedge-shaped LED headlights and a tidy back end that features progressive turn signals.

Contemporary Audi, in other words – just a lot more aggressive.

Side skirt package here, large blacked-out diffuser there, and hey, what are those peeking out from behind the front wheels? Those would be optional ceramic front brakes, complete with red calipers. Can’t get those on an A3.

As for the visuals, the virtual cockpit screen that occupies the instrument cluster looks great. Customizable, and with pin-sharp graphics, its presentation perfectly suits the car’s performance character. In addition to the usual information (speedometer, tach, etc.), the RS 3 also has a boost gauge that displays real-time horsepower and torque output, along with a g-sensor. These displays are functional, sure, but they’re also visual entertainment – and I am entertained.

The 7-inch infotainment that rises and falls out of the top of the dash is also a good example of functional entertainment. The screen operates with a slick efficiency and the visuals are impressive, but watching the screen rise and drop out of sight as the car is turned on and off is great fun – including the little door in the dash that closes when the screen is retracted. Great attention to detail there.

Alright, so how does this thing drive?

Like a bat out of hell. And you don’t even need to flick the drive mode selector to dynamic – the RS 3 is twitchy in normal mode with the gear selector in D.

Tap it back into S, and toggle the drive select to dynamic, though, and watch out – this compact is now a rocket.

Step on the accelerator with moderate force, and you’ll be well past posted speed limits in no time. The 2.5-litre five growls louder as the revs climb and the S tronic holds the gear just long enough before slingshotting into the next cog up – simply delightful.

Just as much fun is listening to the exhaust under braking as the S tronic cycles down through the gears – bap, bap, bap – when slowing down or coming to stop. My tester is equipped with an optional sport exhaust which, in my view, is well worth the extra cost ($850) for the delightful soundtrack it produces.

The RS 3’s ride is quite firm – you’ll want to watch the speed over rough pavement and speed humps – but the car’s handling feels true with very responsive steering and minimal body roll through corners. I haven’t had the pleasure of tracking the RS 3, but I’m confident its sharp reflexes would shine on a closed course.

As for drawbacks, I didn’t really find much wrong with the RS 3.

Its sedan layout, complete with a useable back seat, trunk and AWD makes it inherently practical, although both the trunk and the rear seating area are on the small side. As it is for all cars, how big of an issue this is depends on your circumstances. For someone like myself (single, no kids), it’s not a big deal, but if you have a family, the RS 3 could become a bit confining.

With a $62,900 base MSRP, the RS 3 can also get a bit pricey once you start ticking off boxes on the order form. With destination and delivery included, my tester checks in at just under $80,000 before taxes and licensing, which is a lot for a small car, impressive performance profile notwithstanding.

My advice? Go easy on the optional kit – the car is well-equipped in base form. Many of my tester’s add-ons are strictly cosmetic and don’t alter the core driving experience much.

That said, the RS 3 is a fine gateway entry into Audi Sport. If you’re looking to join the brand’s ‘league of performance’, it presents a powerful argument in favour of taking the plunge.

With the unveiling of its 2018 schedule, the Verizon IndyCar Series carries forward much of the continuity from 2017 in terms of venues and the order in which they appear on the calendar. The only significant change is the return of Portland, which last hosted a major open-wheel race during the final year of the Champ Car World Series in 2007. Portland takes the Labour Day Weekend date (Sept. 2) previously held by Watkins Glen (2016-17), after the upstate New York track and IndyCar failed to come to terms on a new date for 2018. The Portland date will once again be staged at Portland International Raceway, a 1.967 mile (3.17 km), 12-turn permanent road course which has a long history of open-wheel racing dating back to the CART/Champ Car era. It hosted a race every June between 1984 and 2007.

Aside from the Watkins Glen-Portland swap, all other dates are for returning venues. The 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500 is on May 27, the Honda Indy Toronto is on July 15 and the season finale at Sonoma Raceway is on Sept. 16.

For complete details, see INDYCAR's official statement below.

*************************************

2018 INDYCAR schedule builds on consistency, adds Portland event

• Sixteen races return from this year's schedule, most retaining same slot • Phoenix Raceway event reverts to preferred first weekend in April • Important Pacific Northwest market re-entered with return to Portland International Raceway

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017) - Consistency and stability, plus the return of a favored track in the Pacific Northwest, highlight INDYCAR's announcement of the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule that again contains 17 races.

Sixteen of the 17 races from this year's exciting and momentum-building season return in 2018, with most falling in the same spot on the calendar to further capitalize on their date equity. The newcomer to next year's schedule is Portland International Raceway, which hosted Indy car races under CART and Champ Car sanction from 1984-2007, including what is still the closest race finish in Indy car history on a road or street course. The Portland event is set for Labor Day weekend in 2018.

The 2018 season will feature the highly anticipated introduction of universal aero kits to be used by all teams. The new kits offer a car look more sleek, bold and reminiscent of favorite Indy cars of the past. The aerodynamics involved are expected to make the already intense competition even stronger by allowing cars to run closer together and provide more passing opportunities.

"The strength and consistency of the Verizon IndyCar Series' 2018 schedule is something all of us should be proud of," said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Company, which owns INDYCAR and the Verizon IndyCar Series. "We're also looking forward to continuing the upward trend of the series through the introduction of the universal aero kits, which testing has shown to be an exciting product."

Indicative of its status as the most diverse and demanding racing series, the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule features a virtual even mix of road courses, street courses and ovals. Five temporary street-course races will be held, starting with the season opener, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 11. Six races will be conducted on permanent road courses, including iconic tracks such as Road America and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and the Sept. 16 season finale at Sonoma Raceway.

Befitting the hundred-year history and tradition of Indy car racing, six oval tracks are on the schedule. Three are short ovals, including the last race using the original start/finish line at Phoenix Raceway on April 7. Three will be held on superspeedways, including the centerpiece of the schedule, the 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil on May 27.

For the eighth consecutive year, the 2018 season kicks off in St. Petersburg, Florida, on the 1.8-mile temporary circuit set up on city streets and a runway of Albert Whitted Airport. The Gulf Coast city has hosted Indy cars continuously since 2005 and provides the perfect warm-weather backdrop to usher in the new season.

Phoenix Raceway, which will be rebranded ISM Raceway in 2018, is the second stop on the schedule, returning to the first weekend in April after vacating that date this year to not conflict with the NCAA men's basketball Final Four taking place in nearby Glendale, Arizona. The 1.022-mile oval that has hosted 63 Indy cars races dating to 1964 is undergoing a $178 million renovation that will see the start/finish line moved to the Turn 2 dogleg area following the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series race.

"We're thrilled that the Verizon IndyCar Series Phoenix Grand Prix will return to April 6 and 7 under the lights," said Bryan Sperber, Phoenix Raceway president. "Our race fans will be treated to the stars of the IndyCar Series racing at record speed at Phoenix at a time of year that delivers chamber of commerce weather."

The Portland International Raceway event is set for Aug. 31-Sept. 2 on the 1.967-mile permanent road course and will be operated by Green Savoree Racing Promotions, which also promotes the Verizon IndyCar Series events at St. Petersburg, Toronto and Mid-Ohio. The return to Portland takes INDYCAR back to an important market rich with race fans and sets up a West Coast swing to finish the season, with the Portland event followed by the Sonoma finale.

"INDYCAR couldn't be more excited to again race in front of one of our strongest fan bases," Miles said. "Portland International Raceway has produced thrilling road racing throughout Indy car history - the 1997 finish still stands as the record for the closest finish on a road or street course - and the timing of our return couldn't be better given the bold new look our cars will have in 2018. We expect this will be a show fans won't want to miss."

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said he attended the Indianapolis 500 as a young man and is excited to see the sport come back to his city.

"INDYCAR racing brings excitement and thrills to a city and to race spectators," Wheeler said. "The return of INDYCAR racing to Portland will give us terrific international exposure, a great deal of revenue, new jobs and an exciting experience for race fans"

Other schedule highlights include:

Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach: The race on April 15 will mark the 35th consecutive year for Indy cars on the iconic Southern California street course, the longest-running relationship for any event on the schedule outside the Indianapolis 500;

Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear: The event at the Raceway at Belle Isle Park returns as the only doubleheader race weekend on the schedule, June 2-3;

KOHLER Grand Prix at Road America: In what has become a wildly popular event with fans since rejoining the schedule last year, the 2018 race is set for June 24;

Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at Gateway Motorsports Park: On the heels of a virtual sellout crowd in INDYCAR's return to the 1.25-mile oval this year after more than a decade away, excitement is already brewing in the St. Louis region for the 2018 race on Aug. 25.

Official track activities for the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series season begin with two days of open testing at Phoenix Raceway on Feb. 9-10.

All races on the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule will be broadcast by longstanding television partners ABC and NBCSN (Sportsnet in Canada), as well as the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network. The final broadcast schedule will be announced at a later date.

I’ll get right to it — This Week’s Press Car is back. And with a bit of a twist.

Allow me to explain.

When I started TWPC in August 2016, it was my intent for it to become a regular weekly feature here, and it was for two months — and then it stopped. It just went away without explanation last October, which was not my intent.

So what happened? Well, things got really hectic at the Ignition offices in Toronto with various projects last fall and TWPC, unfortunately, had to be put on hold. I planned to restart it sooner, but stuff happens, as they say.

With that said, regular car reviews (labelled as Driven, as they are in the print edition of Ignition) have been appearing in the intervening months, and they will continue to be posted here (you can get caught up here).

As for TWPC’s revival, I mentioned it comes with a bit of a twist, and here it is. The plan is for it to appear weekly with the focus to be on the vehicle of the moment, just as it was before.

However, unlike the previous incarnation, it will follow a bit of a looser posting schedule to allow for traveling, holidays and various other projects that will inevitably interrupt certain weeks.

What this means is TWPC will skip some weeks here and there. I’ll do my best to advise in advance, but I ask you to bear with me as I fire this feature back up.

On that note, because I have a bit of a backlog of cars I’m currently working through, there will be — for a time — new entries here and in the Driven review section. I will advise which car is appearing where.

Once the backlog is clear, TWPC will be the home for reviews, as was the original intent.

Sound good? Okay then, on to this week’s tester: the 2018 Audi RS 3.

I'll be brief—this small car is a rocket.

Powered by a 2.5L turbocharged five-cylinder engine mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic that drives all four wheels, the RS 3 produces 400 horsepower and 354 lb-ft. of torque, which launches the car to 100 km/h from rest in just 4.1 seconds with a top speed of 280 km/h.

Built on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB (Modular Transverse Matrix) platform — which underpins many of their products these days including, among others, the Audi TT and the Volkswagen Golf — the best way to think of the RS 3 is as a very fancy (and powerful) version of the Audi A3, with which it shares the same basic architecture.

That’s where the similarities end, however, as the RS 3 is sprinkled with all manner of magic dust from Audi Sport, the company’s in-house high-performance tuning arm. Suffice it to say, you can’t get this kit on an A3.

From the 2.5L turbo 5-cylinder and 7-speed S tronic gearbox to available ceramic front brakes and 19-inch wheels, to an RS sport suspension and model-specific bodywork, the RS 3 is no ordinary small car.

And it doesn’t drive like one either, but I’ll get into that when I post my impressions in the TWPC verdict.

I have the car until next Thursday (Oct. 12), so look for my final take on the RS 3 in a week’s time.

I must admit I was a bit surprised to learn that it's just underway, but Ford of Canada is beginning to deliver the first batch of GT supercars to a small group of very lucky Canadian owners. One of these recipients, Richard L'Abbe, an Ottawa-based entrepreneur and racing enthusiast took delivery of his car at Calabogie Motorsports Park (a club racing circuit located near Ottawa that L'Abbe co-owns) yesterday.

According to Ford, L’Abbe is the second Canadian GT customer to receive his car, a Liquid Blue copy. More Canadian deliveries are planned – the company declined to say how many – and I was told they will be 2017 models. Production for 2018 has yet to begin, but a company spokesman told me that roughly one car per day is rolling off the line at Multimatic Inc., Ford’s long-time partner that’s being contracted to build the GT in Markham, Ontario. In total, 1,000 GTs (250 per year) will be built for model years 2017-2020.

As for L’Abbe’s delivery taking place at a race track, well, that’s something he arranged through the GT concierge service, which walks customers through the entire process, from the application through customization to delivery and ownership. All GT sales are connected to a store, but given L’Abbe’s role as a partner at the Calabogie circuit (which, incidentally, is one of the tracks where the GT logged test miles while it was in development), he chose to receive his car there instead of at Kanata Ford, which processed the sale.

You might want to know how much L’Abbe paid. I’d like to know too, but Ford isn’t disclosing a Canadian MSRP, so I’ll post the U.S. list price ($450,000) and you can perform the conversion.

Whatever L’Abbe paid, judging by the smile on his face, I'd say it’s money well spent.

]]>Wed, 27 Sep 2017 21:19:34 GMThttp://www.prnmag.com/news/motoring/3145-ford-begins-gt-deliveries-in-canada2017 Frankfurt Motor Show- Day Twohttp://www.prnmag.com/news/motoring/3144-2017-frankfurt-motor-show-day-two
FRANKFURT, Germany – Day two at the Frankfurt Motor Show found me scouring the outer halls – there are 11, in case you were wondering – and I found several gems scattered across the far reaches of the show.

Once again, I’m trying to focus on cars that will be sold in Canada (eventually), but there are exceptions which I’ve made based on market and brand significance – and cool factor.

At any rate, without any further ado, here’s what caught my eye on day two (in alphabetical order):

BMW

M5

The Skinny: Remade, but the iconic high-performance sedan is still V8-powered and bad fast. And, for the first time, it comes equipped with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive (with rear-wheel drive capability).

By the numbers: The sixth-gen M5 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 that produces 600 horsepower and 553 lb-ft. of maximum torque and is mated to an eight-speed (automatic) Steptronic transmission that drives all four wheels via xDrive with the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) turned on. Fortunately, the DSC can be turned off, which allows the driver to enjoy a more traditional (rear-wheel) driving experience. Did I mention the M5 is fast? 0-100 km/h time of 3.4 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 11.1 seconds, with a top speed of 250 km/h (304 km/h with the optional M Driver’s Package).

In market: For the first time in M5 history, BMW is launching it with a First Edition. Only 400 will be built (in Frozen Red Metallic, pictured), with 32 earmarked for Canada. Each First Edition will come with high-gloss Shadow Line trim, piano black finishes inside and a plaque on the centre console indicating the car’s production number (i.e. 1 of 400). These copies will begin arriving next spring, with pricing to be announced closer to launch. Regular M5 production will, presumably, commence afterwards.

Concept Z4

The Skinny: The Concept Z4 marks the eagerly awaited return of BMW’s classic roadster after the second generation ceased production following the 2016 model year.

By the numbers: BMW has yet to confirm powertrains for the Concept Z4, but speculation is just a Google search away if you’re curious. I’m not going to publish that info here (as much as I’d like to) because it can’t be verified. BMW’s press materials from Frankfurt make no mention, unfortunately, of powertrains, so there are no numbers to report. I’m including it here because it is one of the flat-out, best-looking cars I saw at Frankfurt, and when it comes to roadsters, looks matter—a lot.

In market: Once again, BMW has been mum so far on when the new Z4 will arrive, but a production variant should surface sometime next year with availability arriving later – think late 2018 or early 2019.

Hyundai

i30 N

The Skinny: Okay, let’s get this out of the way – the i30 N isn’t coming to Canada. At least not right now. We are getting the garden variety i30, however, which is being rebadged as the 2018 Elantra GT for North America. I’m including the i30 N, however, because this European-market hot hatch is important to Hyundai as it’s the first model from the Korean brand’s high-performance N line.

By the numbers: The i30 N is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine available in two performance profiles. The standard trim delivers 246 horsepower and 260 lb-ft., while the performance package produces 271 horsepower and 260 lb-ft. The only transmission on offer is a six-speed manual which drives the front wheels. 0-100 km/h time is rated at 6.4 seconds for the standard trim and 6.1 seconds for those equipped with the performance package, with a top speed of 250 km/h for both.

In market: Pricing hasn’t been confirmed but the i30 N is expected to go on sale across Europe at the end of 2017. Hyundai is said to have global ambitions for the N brand (which stands for Namyang, South Korea and the Nürburgring test track in Germany, where the cars are being developed), which presumably also includes North America. Conventional wisdom of late suggests we’ll get an N car of some kind eventually, but it probably won’t be the i30 N. Stay tuned.

Jaguar

I-PACE eTrophy Series

The Skinny: Jaguar Racing intends to launch a one-make racing series to serve as an exclusive support series race for the FIA Formula E Championship. Jaguar claims it will be the world’s first production battery electric racing series.

By the numbers: Jaguar’s press release didn’t include any output numbers, but there are some nuggets about the series and the race cars. Among them, Jaguar plans to have up to 20 I-PACEs in each race, the company’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) unit located in Warwickshire, UK will build all of them, and they will be based on the production I-PACE SUV.

In market: Jaguar aims to launch the I-PACE eTrophy Series to coincide with the fifth season of Formula E, which is at the end of 2018. That timeframe coincides with the arrival of the production I-PACE.

Kia

Proceed Concept

The Skinny: Created in Kia’s European design centre in Frankfurt, the company suggests the Proceed could hint at the future design direction for the cee’d model line, a line of compact cars that includes a hatch and a wagon that are sold exclusively in Europe.

By the numbers: The Proceed is a concept and Kia has yet to hint at what might lie beneath its long, sleek and handsome exterior. It’s low roofline and muscular proportions, not to mention its Stinger-esque front end, suggest it could wind up packing quite a punch in production form.

In market: Kia isn’t providing any hints as to when the Proceed might lead to a production car or cars, but it has a pretty good track record of turning its concepts into production. And although, the Proceed is aimed primarily at Europe, its eventual production offspring could be sold around the world, including North America.

MINI

John Cooper Works GP Concept

The Skinny: Inspired by MINI’s racing victories in the Monte Carlo Rally 50 years ago, the MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept is a design study that represents an evolution of the 2012 JCW GP and the 2006 Cooper S with JCW GP Kit, both of which were available in limited quantities (2,000 units each).

By the numbers: MINI’s press materials didn’t mention anything regarding the drivetrain, so there’s nothing to report there. The car was cordoned off on a rotating platform, so no poking around was possible. It looks as fast as a bat out of hell, though, what with its generous amounts of carbon fibre, large front and rear aprons, side skirts and roof spoiler. The massive front air intakes, air deflectors and front air scoop, along with 19-inch track-worthy wheels suggest its built for adrenaline-pumping fast laps.

In market: So far, MINI hasn’t said anything about when (or if) the John Cooper Works GP Concept will be turned into a production car. At this point, all we can do is cross our fingers and hope.

Photography by Lee Bailie

]]>Thu, 14 Sep 2017 00:56:47 GMThttp://www.prnmag.com/news/motoring/3144-2017-frankfurt-motor-show-day-two2017 Frankfurt Motor Show- Day Onehttp://www.prnmag.com/news/motoring/3143-2017-frankfurt-motor-show-day-one
FRANKFURT, Germany – The Frankfurt Motor Show is a dizzying exhibition of automotive can-do spread out over nearly a dozen halls across the vast Messe Frankfurt fairgrounds in the heart of downtown Frankfurt.

Although the press conference schedule for the automakers is compressed into one day, because the show is so spread out, seeing each reveal as they happen is a tall order especially when you are also in need of photos – people are literally everywhere, including in my (attempted) shots.

Thankfully there are two press days. As a result, I’ve elected to divide my show recap in two. It may not exactly be a 50/50 split, but it’ll be close enough. Posted today, are the stands I visited along with a few photos from each. Because this is a European show, there are several nameplates on display here that I’m skipping over (Renault, Skoda, etc.) because they don’t exist in Canada.

With that out of the way, here’s what caught my eye on day one (in alphabetical order):

Audi

RS 4 Avant

The skinny: Okay, so we’re breaking a bit of a rule here because the new RS 4 Avant is unlikely to make it to Canada, but because we have a real soft spot for all things Audi Sport, we’re going to include it.

By the numbers: This is one fast wagon. Powered by a 2.9L biturbo TSFI V6 mated to an eight-speed automatic (tiptronic) transmission, the quattro RS 4 Avant produces 450 horsepower and 442.5 lb-ft. of peak torque. 0-100 km/h time is pegged at 4.1 seconds with a top speed of 250 km/h, which jumps to 280 km/h with the optional dynamic package.

In market: European orders begin this fall, with cars beginning to arrive in dealerships in early 2018. Base European price is EUR 79,800, which is about CAD $116,332. Again, if you really want one, you’re probably going to have to move to Europe.

R8 V10 RWS

The skinny: For sports car purists who have long wished Audi’s supercar came in rear-wheel drive. Your wish has finally been granted, in limited quantities, and is available in both Coupe and Spyder configurations.

By the numbers: Like other current R8s, RWS (Rear-Wheel Series) models will be powered by a naturally-aspirated 5.2-litre V10 that produces 540 horsepower and 398.3 lb-ft. of maximum torque and is mated to a seven-speed dual clutch (S tronic) automatic transmission. 0-100 km/h time for the Coupe rated at 3.7 seconds (Spyder- 3.8 seconds) with a top speed of 320 km/h (Spyder- 318 km/h).

In market: Audi is building only 999 RWS models. Each will be numbered as a limited edition (i.e. 1 of 999). European orders begin this fall, with the first units arriving in early 2018. The Coupe starts at EUR 140,000 (CAD $204,708), while the Spyder starts at EUR 153,000 (CAD $223,012). No word yet on Canadian availability, allocation or pricing.

Bentley

Continental GT

The skinny: The second-generation grand touring coupe from Bentley, with prodigious power and luxury. The Britain-based, Volkswagen-owned luxury brand also confirmed a plug-in hybrid Continental GT is in development.

By the numbers: This gorgeous, hand-crafted exotic is no poser. Much like the first-gen model (which dates to 2003), the Continental GT puts out a staggering amount of power. The 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine delivers 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft. of peak torque through an all-new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that drives the rear wheels. 0-100 km/h time is rated at 3.7 seconds, with a top speed of 333 km/h.

In market: No pricing has been announced for any territories, but the new Continental GT is available for order now with deliveries set to begin in Q2 of 2018.

Lamborghini

Aventador S Roadster

The skinny: An open-top version of the flagship Aventador S, the coupe variant of which went on sale this past spring.

By the numbers: Like its coupe stablemate, this raging bull is powered by a naturally-aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine that produces 740 horsepower and 508.91 lb-ft. of peak torque, and is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that drives all four wheels. 0-100 km/h time is rated at 3.0 seconds, with a top speed of 350 km/h.

In market: The first Aventador S Roadster deliveries begin next February, and while Canadian pricing has yet to be announced, the starting U.S. MSRP has been set at $460,247 (taxes incl.) which is about CAD $560,605.

Mercedes-AMG

Project ONE

The skinny: A Formula One-derived hypercar that’s legal on public roads. And, as you might have guessed, only a few very lucky (and wealthy) people will have the privilege of owning one.

By the numbers: The collaborative effort that created this car— which is still technically a concept— brought together engineers from AMG HQ in Germany, along with the company’s Formula One operations in the UK. And their creation is simply incredible. Essentially, they transplanted the high-performance plug-in hybrid drive system from the team’s F1 car – Project ONE uses the same 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 working in conjunction with four electric motors; the front axle will be powered entirely by two 120 kW motors. The mid-mounted V6 is capable of reaching engine speeds of 11,000 rpm, unheard of for a production car. Power will be sent to all four wheels via an AMG eight-speed manual transmission. So how fast? Blindingly. AMG pegs total system power at 1,000 hp which can rocket the car from 0-200 km/h in less than six seconds, with a top speed of 350 km/h.

In market: As mentioned, Project ONE is still a concept, but Mercedes-AMG has said the car will be built but production will be limited to 275 units. No specific ETA exists yet, but the price has been pegged at about EUR 2.275 million, which is about CAD $3,315,585. A Mercedes-Benz Canada rep confirmed a ‘healthy’ number of Canadian orders, but declined to provide an exact number.

Porsche

Cayenne Turbo

The skinny: The range-topper for Porsche’s all-new third-gen Cayenne SUV gets a redesign, along with more horsepower and torque than the outgoing model.

By the numbers: The Cayenne Turbo is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 that produces 550 horsepower and 567 lb-ft. of torque, which represents a 30 horsepower and 14 lb-ft. increase over the previous model. Power is delivered to all four wheels via Porsche Traction Management and an all-new eight-speed Tiptronic (automatic) transmission that rockets the Cayenne Turbo from 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds (3.9 with the Sport Chrono Package) with a top speed of 286 km/h.

In market: The 2019 Cayenne Turbo will go on sale in Canada next summer with a starting MSRP of $139,700.

Three of the four previous editions of the Chevrolet Silverado 250 (Sept. 1-3) have came down to the last corner on the last lap, and in some cases have continued with slaps in the paddock, and shoulder tackles under the flagstand. While the Annual Mudsummer Nationals has become the one of, if not the most, sought after prize in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, the annual blast through the hills north of Bowmanville, Ontario has also taken on a special meaning for many of the truckers.

Last year there was plenty of drama in turn 10 as John Hunter Nemechek (below) drove Cole Custer (above, leading) off the track, before continuing to rub him into the wall down the frontstretch to the checkers to take the win by mere inches. The real excitement came post-race when Nemechek stopped to pick up the flag from the starter. Custer took off down pit road, hopped the wall, and sprinted towards Nemechek. When the former high school football player got there, he channeled his inner Lawrence Taylor and blasted Nemechek with a textbook tackle.

“It's not how we wanted to get it, but we won. We got some good press and some bad press over it, but I have to thank our fans for standing behind us. As for Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, I think it's a fun track, and I've enjoyed road course racing. The track atmosphere is great, and think it's awesome that we go to Canada, and to a road course once a year. You can do some different stuff to make up time, even if your truck isn't perfect. I'd even take a couple more of these every year as well,” Nemechek said when asked about last year’s race.

With just two races left before the Chase for the Camping World Series championship starts, Nemechek is one of the title contenders thanks to two wins posted earlier this season at Gateway and Iowa.

“We've had a fast truck all season, and we've been able to run in the top-five, or top-three most of the time. We're going to try and become the first repeat winner at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, and get some more playoff points,” he said.

Other drivers, such as Austin Wayne Self, are eager to take on the daunting challenges that CTMP presents. “When I was a kid, I raced karts, but you had to be 16 to race open-wheel cars, so I got into Stock Cars. I love road course racing, and to me, it would be bigger than winning Eldora or Daytona. It's a momentum track, with a mix of technical sections, fast sections, and some big elevation changes. The fans are everywhere around the place, camping on hills, and in the trees. And the crazy finishes, I think that's a result of that long backstretch and the ability of the trucks to suck up to each other. About the only other place where a win would mean as much as CTMP would be Texas, because that's where I grew up.” Self finished 15th in his first career CTMP start last year.

Christopher Bell (below) finished fifth last year, and is determined to be more prepared for the 2017 race. To help prepare, he raced in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series race at CTMP during Victoria Day SpeedFest this past May, finishing 23rd after experiencing some mechanical problems during the race.

Despite a disappointing result, Bell thought the experience was worthwhile. “The Pinty's race was good preparation for our race on Labour Day, and that place is awesome! The elevation changes make it a lot of fun, and the way the corners are a rhythm section at the end seem to make for some close finishes,” he said.

With four wins under his belt so far in 2017 (Atlanta, Texas, Kentucky and Pocono), Bell is the current championship leader and one of the title favorites entering the Chase.

Two-time Truck series champion Matt Crafton (2013-14) crossed one off the bucket list earlier this summer as he captured the Mudsummer Nationals at Eldora, and will ride that victory into the Truck Series playoffs. After cutting his teeth of asphalt, Crafton has been working at gaining more dirt experience over the past few seasons, as he has been racing a Modified through the mid-west. “It's been fun. My dad and I go to the track together, and I get to work on racing on dirt, and we just get to hang out at the track,” Crafton said.

While he put that program together with Eldora in mind, he doesn't seem to have the same interest in road course races. “I don't think we're buying a GT3 car anytime soon - the dirt stuff has been enough. I think it would be pretty cool to win, and we've run well every time here. It's also just great to race in Canada. I've done the IWK 250 at Riverside before, and between that and Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, the fans are awesome,” he said.

Crafton finished fourth at CTMP last year and was second in 2015.

The only Canadian full-time driver in the series this year, Stewart Friesen, from Niagara-on-the-Lake is looking forward to the race. “It's going to be great to have all the fans from Ohsweken, and all my friends be able to come and watch us race in Canada,” he said.

Friesen led much of the Mudsummer Nationals at Eldora before Crafton (above right chatting with Ben Rhodes) passed him for the win, but he was still thrilled by the experience. “Yeah, I was bummed we didn't win, but it really showed that we can race at that level, and we think we can build off a result like that. I haven't done much road course racing, but have been doing some racing on the simulator, and iRacing. That's about the best you can get without racing there,” he said.

Sitting second in points, thanks to a victory at Dover earlier this season, defending Truck Series champion Johnny Sauter could be considered an 'honorary Canadian'.

“When I was racing in ASA I drove for Alec Pinsonneault, and I got to do a lot of short track racing against Canadian Junior Hanley. I think it's great for the Truck series to come there, and while I'm by no means a road course racer, it's pretty fun. I've went out and spent some time with the fans who camp there before. It would be huge to win this race, and if I did I'd be missing my flight and end up in the campground somewhere,” he said.

There are a few more Canadians who will be suiting up for this year’s race, including Pinty’s Series veteran Jason Hathaway, of Uxbridge, Ontario who will make his Truck series debut in the no. 66 Bolen Motorsports entry.

Two-time Pinty’s series champion (2010, 2012) D.J. Kennington (above) will be making his sixth career NCWTS start, and his second at CTMP (he finished 14th last year), but this time it will be in equipment far different from anything he has ever driven on one of NASCAR's three biggest stages. He will be piloting a Kyle Busch Motorsports truck that has been prepared by Gaunt Brothers Racing. Both have been victorious at CTMP in the NASCAR Pinty's Series action before.

The inaugural edition of this race in 2013 saw Chase Elliott pick up his first career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series win, wrecking Austin Dillon on the final corner to take the win. Afterwards, the girlfriend of Mike Skinner decided to stick up for her man by slapping Max Papis (whom Skinner had been racing) in the paddock after the race.

In 2014, Ryan Blaney and German Quiroga swapped the lead twice in the final three corners before Blaney won the drag race out of turn 10 to capture his first Truck series win.

Two years ago, Erik Jones survived a late race restart to edge out Alex Tagliani for the win, a victory that would help propel him to the series championship.

F1 Pirelli Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-FrancorchampsHamilton holds off Vettel to close in on his championship lead

Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, Aug. 27, 2017: In this, the first F1 race after the now-traditional mid-summer break, Lewis Hamilton came out swinging. He won the pole with a new lap record and equalled Michael Schumacher’s record number of poles. In the race, he held off a strong Sebastian Vettel, giving up the lead only once, for two laps, after he made his first pit stop. And, despite Vettel’s best efforts, he came home the winner by a margin of 2.4 seconds over Vettel. This result allowed Hamilton to close to within seven points of Vettel (220 to 213) with nearly half the season’s races yet to be run. This race was truly a reset for Hamilton’s hopes of winning his fourth F1 championship this year.

At the start, the front six qualifiers went into the first corner in order – Hamilton, Vettel, Valtteri Bottas, Kimi Räikkönen, Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo. Just eight laps into the race Verstappen slowed with mechanical problems and pulled off the track to retire, disappointing the huge crowd of Dutch fans – perhaps as many as 100,000 – who were there to cheer him on. Räikkönen became another victim of this unfortunate twist of fate when he was given a stop-and-go penalty for failing to slow for the yellow flags waved for this incident. This dropped to seventh -place in the running. He was soon able to make it back up to fifth place, albeit over 50 seconds behind Hamilton.

Fernando Alonso had started in tenth place but he jumped up to seventh place by the end of the second lap. After that his bubble seemed to burst as he lost positions lap after lap. Eventually, while struggling back in the teens he seemed to lose heart and he pulled into the pits and retired. Afterwards Honda engineers said that they could find nothing wrong with the engine (except, perhaps, a significant lack of power compared to their rivals ...).

The two Force India drivers continued to provide their kind of ‘action’. On the opening lap, on the run down to Eau Rouge they touched wheels and sent up a burst of smoke but they both continued. Later, on lap 26 of the 44-lap race, they came together again, Sergio Perez crowding over on Esteban Ocon breaking Ocon’s front wing but Perez’ rear tire was punctured. Both continued around to the pits despite the damage but their reputations as professional drivers and teammates was shattered. Before long a team spokesperson said that this (kind of inter-teammate jousting) would not happen again. Just how they will achieve this result remains to be seen.

All the debris from this accident brought out the safety car and closed up the field. This allowed Räikkönen , who was still running in fifth place to close up on Daniel Ricciardo. On the restart, Bottas fumbled a bit, going off wide at Raidillon and dropping to fifth place. Meanwhile Vettel who was on stickier tires than Hamilton, made a strong run up the hill and, while it looked like he had a chance to overtake him at the end of this straight, he just missed out and Hamilton held onto the lead – and lead he did for the remaining few laps.

The next round is the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on Sept. 3.

Verizon Indycar Series Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at Gateway Motorsports ParkNewgarden nudges his teammate aside to take the win and increase his championship points lead

Madison, IL, Aug. 26, 2017: Josef Newgarden, who has joined the Penske team this year, is looking more and more like the one most likely to win the series championship this year. Here at Gateway, he led for 170 of the race’s 248 laps including the final 31 lap on his way to the checker.

There are four Penske drivers and they all have hopes of winning the championship. Last year’s champion, Penske driver Simon Pagenaud beat Newgarden out of the pits on the final round of pit stops which came during the fifth and final caution. A few laps after the restart, Newgarden dove under Pagenaud and touched wheels as he took the lead. In the confusion of this pass, Scott Dixon was able to get past the Frenchman into second place. And that’s the way the race wound down to the checker.

The other two Penske drivers, Helio Castroneves and Will Power finished in fourth and 20th respectively – Castroneves had a strong run mid-race, leading 52 laps. Unfortunately, when Castroneves pitted under green during the third round of pit stops his engine stalled and he lost time while it was being restarted – and he was never able to recover from that misfortune. This bobble on Castroneves’ part was what had let Dixon up into third behind the two other Penske drivers.

Before the race, Power had looked like the favourite to win, starting from the pole – his 50th pole -- but he lost traction on the first lap as he exited the second corner and crashed, collecting Ed Carpenter and Takuma Sato. All three were eliminated from competition.

Once Newgarden barged past Pagenaud for the last time he was in command and he took the checker by a 0.7 second margin. After this race, and with just two more races to go, Newgarden has a 31-point lead over Dixon (547 to 516).

The 1.25-mile Gateway Motorsports Park which was built to give CART a rival venue to the Indy 500 at the height of the IRL vs CART wars in the 1990s had become something of an orphan track, only hosting some truck races there. Recently it has been bought by a new owner who is committed to making the oval – as well as the drag strip behind it – more successful. After a recent test session there, the Indy car teams complained that the track surface was too bumpy and the owner paid out to have the whole racing surface repaved. It was obvious that there had been a strong campaign to sell tickets for this event and the grandstands along the front stretch were filled. It was good turnout and it looked good on television but, in reality, the grandstands in Turn 1-2 which can hold nearly as many people were empty. So it was a good crowd but not a sellout.

The next Verizon IndyCar Series race is at Watkins Glen International on Sept. 3.

NASCAR Xfinity Series Johnsonville 180 at Road AmericaClements wins his first Xfinity race at Elkhart Lake after 14 years and 256 race starts

Elkhart Lake, WI, Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017: When the NASCAR series visits traditional roads course circuits like Road America we often see unexpected results and this race followed that pattern. No one would have predicted that the race would come down to a collision in the final corner of the next-to-final lap that would see underdog Jeremy Clements bump past Matt Tifft for the win. Neither of these two drivers had ever won a NASCAR touring series (trucks or Xfinity) race before in their careers and they had started this race in 24th place and 13th place respectively.

But the race was settled in that final corner. As things wound out after the final sequence of green-flag pit stops, Tifft had been leading for six laps but his tires were starting to give out and Clements, who had made the most recent stop for fresh tires was closing in on him. Clements made an attempt to pass Tifft on the inside but, when he got his nose up alongside, he tapped him and spun himself and Tifft off the track. Clement got his car gathered up first and he got going again before the next car – Michael Annett – came through while Tifft dropped in behind Annett for third. And that’s the way they took the checker.

Under NASCAR’s quirky rules, this flukey win gives Clements a spot in the season end playoffs despite his unimpressive results prior to this race.

The starting lineup was set on owners points after qualifying was rained out earlier on race day. This put Austin Cindric in the Penske No. 22 Ford on the pole alongside James Davison in the Joe Gibbs No. 20 Toyota. At the start of the race, Davison took the lead into the first corner ahead of Cindric, who was making his first Xfinity Series start. Davison, who has a resume in Indy car racing and who showed well at Mid-Ohio recently, led every one of the laps in the first 10-lap Stage while Cindric dropped to third behind Justin Marks, who had won at Mid-Ohio last year. Unfortunately Davison was penalized for speeding in pit lane when he pitted during the Stage-end caution and was sent to the rear of the field while Cindric had a lengthy stop for bodywork repairs which also dropped him to the rear for this restart.

So the second stage saw new front-runners. Daniel Hemric emerged as the leader on lap 17 and he won the second Stage which ended on lap 20 of the 45-lap race. By now, Davison and Cindric had worked back up to seventh and eighth respectively and their chances were looking better again. Hemric cycled out of the end-of-stage pit stops still in the lead while Davison stayed in the pits for repairs to his car after it was damaged in a melee into Turn 6 at the top of the hill – a mess that also collected Cindric and Marks. Davison was unable to continue but Marks was able to keep going after repairs – and he eventually finished in fourth place behind Tifft. Cindric sustained only slight damage and he kept on going but, when the pits opened on the next lap at the end of the second Stage, a mis-communication saw him continuing around without pitting. This boosted him back up into the top ten but he as still going to have to pit some time before the end of the race.

On lap 26, Hemric pitted under green – which would have set him up to run the rest of the way to the finish – and was given a pass-through penalty for speeding. Cindric made his belated pit stop now and his chances still looked good. As the other cars, one after another peeled off and made their final pit stops, it looked like Tifft and Cindric might cycle back up to the front after all the pit stops were done.

By now Clements was leading the race, having opted to stay out while the others made their pit stops. He led eight laps, from lap 28 to 35 before he stopped and took on fresh tires. Meanwhile Cindric was dicing with Cole Custer back a few cars until he suffered a cut tire – he was able to make it back around to the pits for a new tire but, by now, it was too late to make up the lost time. Meanwhile, Clements had returned to the track in seventh place – but on fresh tires.

After that, the race resolved itself down to Tifft in the lead with Clements closing in on him on his fresher tires until that fateful collision and spin at the end of the penultimate lap.

Brendan Gaughan finished in fifth place while Custer was eighth. Cindric ended up in 16th place.

After this unusual race on the Road America road course, the Xfinity Series will return to a more traditional speedway – the Darlington Raceway – on Sept. 2.

IMSA WeatherTech Michelin GT Challenge at VIRginia International RacewayCorvette comes through to beat Ford and Ferrari at VIR

Alton, VA, Aug. 27, 2017: The No. 3 Corvette C7.R of Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia only led the 160-minute race for nine laps but they were the ones that counted – the final nine that took them to the checker ahead of their rivals.

Early in the race the No. 25 BMW of Alexander Sims/Bill Auberlen held the lead ahead of the No. 66 Ford GT of Joey Hand/Dirk Mueller and the No. 4 Corvette of Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner but after the mid-race round of pit stops the No. 3 car was running in third place behind the No. 25 BMW and the No. 62 Ferrari of Giancarlo Fisichella/Toni Vilander with the No. 66 Ford close behind.

In the closing laps, this shuffled when the other three had to pit for more fuel letting Garcia, who had been able to conserve enough fuel after making his previous pit stop a bit late, through into the lead while the No. 67 Ford GT of Ryan Briscoe/Richard Westbrook came through to finish in second place ahead of the No. 62 Ferrari.

The No. 66 Ford GT team was poised for a podium result before a late-race incident between Mueller and Milner in the No. 4 Corvette sent both cars off course. The No. 66 team recovered to finish fifth, one spot behind Sims and Auberlen after the No. 25 BMW’s late pit stop dropped them to fourth. Sims/Auberlen had combined to lead for most of the first two-and-a-half hours.

"It was another long day at the office, but it was a good one,” Garcia said. “It is definitely good to have competitive pace and remain up front. That was something we weren't used to in the last few races. We had a really, really tough middle stint where Ferrari and Ford were strong, but I was able to keep up with them. I didn't know how much fuel they were saving, so I didn't know what pace we were doing. I think the key was stopping one or two laps longer than the Ferrari and the Ford because I had really clear laps from those two, in the low 1:42s that made me so close to the Ferrari and especially to be ahead of the Ford coming out of the pits. That was 90 percent of the race… that pit stop and being able to get in front of them. It was a very hard two laps coming out of the pits on cold tires but I knew if I was able to do that most of the race would come down to that. It was keeping the pressure up on the Ferrari to force a mistake, and we didn't allow the BMW to run very slow to make it to the end. That is part of racing. I think we definitely deserve this one."

This race result gave the Magnussen/Garcia duo a lead of 16 points over the BMW Sims/Auberlen pair.

The GTLM cars were the featured class here at VIR, given that the prototypes had the weekend off. In the other class here, the GTD cars, the No. 16 Lamborghini of Jeroen Mul/Corey Lewis finished first in class, ninth overall.

The next IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series race will be open to all the classes, including prototypes, and it will be at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on Sept. 24.

Alton, VA, Aug. 26, 2017: While other car makes had been scoring wins, the duo of Dillon Machavern/Dylan Murcott in their No. 28 Porsche Cayman had been taking the lead in the championship points race. They entered this event with a four-point lead over another Porsche paring, Trent Hindman/Cameron Cassels.

This time they came home the winner 2.8 seconds ahead of the No. 57 Camaro of Matt Bell/Robin Liddell and the No. 59 Mustang of Dean Martin/Jack Roush Jr.

The No. 59 Mustang started on the pole ahead of the No. 57 Camaro and the No. 28 Porsche – and Roush led the first 27 laps until the No. 57 Camaro took the lead during the first caution and through the second one which came almost immediately after that. Coming off the second caution, the Porsche grabbed the lead after the Camaro suffered body damage and they held on to it until the finish.

The next race in the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge is at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on Sept. 23.

Verizon IndyCar Series ABC Supply 500 at Pocono RacewayPower comes back from a lap down to score a convincing win

Long Pond, PA, August 20, 2017: When Will Power was running a lap down at the back of the field after pitting on lap 66 to replace a damaged rear win few observers would have given him much chance of winning the 200-lap race - but win he did, after a masterful display of driving prowess to hold off a charging Josef Newgarden in the closing laps. It was Power’s third win of the 2017 season.

"What a crazy day for us. I mean, we had a really strong car”, said Power. “The Verizon Chevrolet was getting back to the front, and then suddenly, boom, the wing broke. Lucky I didn't hit the wall. We went a lap down, and then I was thinking to be smart and anything can happen. You get your lap back and get through the field, and that's exactly what we did.”

With the race only having three cautions and with the pit stop cycles coming about every 25 laps, most of the pit stops were made under green and this shuffled the order because the cars came into the pits on different laps over a five-lap or so period. Many, many lead changes as a result.

Scott Dixon was strong early on and led the most laps in the race, 51. Alexander Rossi, who finished close behind Newgarden for third, led for 44 laps and Power for 34 laps – but Power led the important ones, the final 12 laps of the race. Simon Pagenaud was fourth ahead of Tony Kanaan and Dixon who finished fifth and sixth respectively.

Oakville’s James Hinchcliffe ran well early in the race, even taking the lead for three laps at lap 84 but he made a couple of mistakes – sliding too far past the limits of his pit box – which put him back in the field and, later, tapping the wall in Turn 1 and losing more positions. This left him mired back in the middle of the pack and then, coming into the first turn he and JR Hildebrand touched wheels and both crashed out of the race.

After this race, Newgarden continues to lead the championship points standings – by 18 points over Dixon (494 to 476) with Helio Castroneves in third place with 472 points.

The next Verizon IndyCar race will be held next Saturday evening, August 26th, at the revitalized Gateway Motorsports Park which is located alongside the Mississippi River opposite St. Louis, MO. The last Indy car race was held there in 2003 under the auspices of the CART series.

Bristol, TN, Saturday, August 19, 2017: Kyle Busch topped off his Bristol weekend with a solid win in the Cup race, making it a hat trick with his wins in the Camping World Truck Series race on Wednesday and in the Xfinity Series race on Friday evening. After he took the checker, Busch jumped up onto the roof of his car (a no-no) and waved a broom at the crowd to metaphorically symbolize his ‘sweep’ of all three Bristol race.

This was his second triple win here, having won all three races back in 2010. Like him or hate him, you have to acknowledge that Busch is a phenomenon in modern-day NASCAR racing.

Erik Jones turned out to be his main opposition and this young Cup rookie led much of the early going and he came close to winning the race, being forced to settle for second, 1.4 seconds behind Busch at the finish. Jones has been a protege of Busch and of Joe Gibbs Racing. Last year he was driving in the Xfinity Series in a JGR Toyota. This year he moved up to the Cup in a second Furniture Row Toyota – Furniture Row being a satellite team associated with JGR. Once it became known that Matt Kenseth wold not be back with the JGR team next year, it was no surprise when they announced that Jones would be retuning to JGR to drive the No. 20 car next year. So, while Jones is not, technically, a teammate of Busch’s, he is in a way – and Busch more or less acknowledged this teammate status when interviewed after the race. Jones won four Xfinity races last year but he faded a bit in the playoffs; this year he continues to be one of the most promising of the new batch of young drivers. Had he won here – and he may yet win one of the two remaining races before the end of the regular season – we would be talking about his chances of winning the Cup championship in his rookie year.

Jones started from the pole and he led 49 of the first 125 laps before he was passed by Busch for the lead. Busch had not qualified very well for this race, starting back in 18th place but, once the race started, he was moving forward and he took the lead on lap 115 of the 500-lap race.

After that, Jones and Busch duelled for the lead but, in the final run, Jones was able to keep up with Busch but he could not get past him. Busch led the final 56 laps to win the race. Jones had led 260 laps to Busch’s 156.

Denny Hamlin finished in third place ahead of Matt Kenseth who had looked like a contender for the win, leading for 11 laps mid-race. Kurt Busch had a good run late in the race, finishing in fifth after running back in about tenth place most of the way. Kyle Larson had qualified on the front row and, for the first half of the race, he was a strong challenger for Jones, leading for 70 laps in the first quarter of the race. After that he faded back a bit and he ended up finishing in ninth place.

The 2017 Cup season got off to a slow start for Busch. Prior to his win at Pocono in July he had not won since the 2016 Indianapolis race last summer and pundits were talking about the possibility of Busch not even qualifying for the season-end playoffs, In reality, he has had a lot of good results this year and his accumulation of points should have been good enough for him to make it into the playoffs – and, once there, what had gone before is of little importance regardless of all the excited speculation from the commentators. Now that he has two wins – and with his dominant weekend at Bristol – his status has to have changed from a championship hopeful to one of the drivers most likely to win the championship. And if he does win a second Cup championship this year, don’t expect him to be humble about it.

For many years this August night race at Bristol was an absolute sell-out but now, in the era of declining fan support, there were a few empty seats – perhaps 80-90 percent of the seats were filled by race fans on Saturday night.

Next weekend is an off weekend for the Cup series. The next MENCS race will be the traditional Southern 500 held on Sunday, September 3rd at Darlington Raceway.

Bristol, TN, Friday, August 18, 2017: Kyle Busch was obviously the dominant force in this week’s Xfinity race, starting from the pole, leading 186 of the race’s 300 laps and winning despite having to drop to the back of the field when he was penalized and sent to the back of the field on lap 89 for speeding in pit lane. Despite the penalty, he won both of the first two Stages as well as the race win. Busch holds the record for most wins in this series and this was his 91st win on his quest to round out his statistics to 100 wins. It was his fifth win so far this year – in a series where he is limited to ten starts all season long.

Daniel Suarez, another Cup driver, was second and he gave his JGR teammate a good run for the win, finishing 1.2 seconds behind Busch and leading 24 laps during the race. Elliott Sadler started from the pole and he finished in third place in a JR Motorsports Chevrolet, the highest-placed Xfinity championship eligible driver. Cup driver Ty Dillon was fourth while Justin Allgaier was fifth in another JRM entry.

Allgaier had qualified in the second row and he ran very strongly in the first half of the race, leading for 75 laps and finishing second to Busch in each of the first two Stages.

William Byron who drives in this series for JRM, won five times in the truck series last year and he is slated to take over the No. 5 Hendrick Cup car from Kasey Kahne next year. He has scored three wins so far this year but here at Bristol he had a tough weekend, qualifying 19th and finishing in 22nd place. Don’t rule him out of the race for the championship just yet - those three wins will stand him in good stead in the playoffs.

The next Xfinity Series race will be held next Sunday, August 27th at Road America.

Bristol, TN, Wednesday, August 16, 2017: Kyle Busch started off his wining weekend at Bristol by winning the pole for the truck race and then dominating the first half of the race, winning both Stages. But, when he pitted during the caution after the end of the second Stage at lap 110 of the 200-lap race, he was penalized and sent to the back of the field before the restart. For any other ordinary mortal this would have been a crushing blow costing him the race win but Busch was able to rebound and clamber his way back up towards the front, using a high line that no one else dared attempt – he was back in the lead by lap 167 – and he led the rest of the way to the checker.

At the start of the race, Busch led the first 61 laps past the end of the first Stage before Austin Cindric took the lead coming off the Stage 1 restart and led for three laps. He, in turn was overhauled by Matt Crafton who led for the next 40 laps, Cindric and Crafton having pitted before the end of the Stage to gain this illusory advantage – but, just before the second Stage ended at the 110-lap mark, Busch regained the lead. Mind you, given that he is a Cup carpetbagger who cannot run for the championship in this series, winning a Stage is only good for bragging rights. But who ever said that little Kyle did not value bragging rights?

After Busch was sent to the back after the second Stage pit stops, Crafton regained the lead for another 50 laps until Busch was able to work his way from the back to the front and pass Crafton for the lead and the win.

Crafton did finish second, less that a second behind Busch. John H. Nemechek was third, Grant Enfinger fourth and Ben Rhodes fifth. As for the budding stars in this series, Christopher Bell finished seventh, Cindric was ninth and Chase Briscoe was 12th. Stewart Friesen, who hails from Niagara-on-the-Lake ran well early on but, in the end, after getting caught up in a crash early in the race, he had to retire with overheating after completing 103 laps.

This was Busch’s third win in the truck series this year and, cumulatively, his 49th victory in 140 starts.

The start of the race was delayed by rain but it was run later that same evening.

The next NCWTS race will be held in two week’s time at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park road course on Sunday, September 3rd.

NASCAR Pinty’s Series Bumper to Bumper 300 at Riverside International SpeedwayLabbé’s Bump and Run gives him the win over Lacroix

Antigonish, NS, Sunday, August 20, 2017: Kevin Lacroix was dominant in this race, leading the most laps (251 of 300) , but, on the final corner of the final lap on this high-banked, third-mile oval, Alex Labbé nudged him aside and he stole the win. Lacroix was left having to settle for second place.

It was no surprise when Lacroix returned the favour, ramming into Labbé and sending him spinning on the cool-down lap – and afterwards storming away without further comment. Perhaps we will hear of some consequences for this fit of pique on Lacroix’ part – or for the bump that started it – after the NASCAR officials ‘review the tapes’.

On Saturday, rain washed out qualifying and forced NASCAR to postpone the running of the race until Sunday. D.J. Kennington started from the pole after the starting lineup was decided on the basis of practice times. He finished third behind the two combatants. Mark Dilley was fourth and Andrew Ranger was fifth.

Labbé extended his lead in the championship standings (at least for now), with 432 points to Lacroix’ 406. Cayden Lapcevich, who finished in ninth place here is in third place with 388 points while Kennington is just two points further back in fourth place.

The next NPS race will be held on Sunday, August 3rd at the Canadian Motorsport Park road course.

Brooklyn, MI, Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017: For the first half of the race at Michigan it looked like Brad Keselowski was the sure thing winner and then, in the second half, the advantage went to Martin Truex who still had the lead when they took the final restart in overtime. But Kyle Larson, taking this restart from the second row, immediately barged past into the lead in the first turn and pulled out a solid lead to win the race over Truex. This was Larson’s third win in a row here, having already won the August race last year and the June race this year – and it was his third win of the 2017 season. This has to make him, after Truex, the favourite to win the championship this year.

Keselowski took the final restart in 11th place and he faded back to 17th place by the time those final two overtime laps were run. Matt Kenseth was another who fell far back on that final restart. He took the green in third place but he was back in 20th place at the checker.

Rookie Erik Jones matched his best Cup finish so far. He took that final restart alongside Truex and finished in third place after qualifying eighth fastest. This result matched his best ever result in his short MENCS career – his third-place finish at Pocono in June. Ryan Newman was fourth and Trevor Bayne was fifth.

The two Penske drivers – Keselowski and Joey Logano – started one-two on the front row and Keselowski led the first 42 laps of the 200-lap race – ahead of Kevin Harvick and Logano. While some others pitted under green a bit earlier, Keselowski stayed out and won the first Stage honours – and after those pit stops he soon regained the lead from Daniel Suárez on the restart which began the second Stage. As the race continued to run under green, some drivers made another cycle of green-flag pit stops and, after Truex pitted for fresh tires a few laps before Keselowski, we saw the ‘undercut’ that the F1 commentators so often talk about – by the time Keselowski came back out after his pit stop, Truex had gained time on his fresh tires and he had a solid lead over the Penske driver. He held on to this lead through the regrouping at the end of the second stage – when only a few drivers who had not pitted earlier came in for tires and fuel.

Truex continued to hold the lead but, by now, Jones had come up past Keselowski into second place – showing that Keselowski’s earlier dominance was over. Finally, on lap 140, there was a crash, bringing out the first non-Stage yellow. Kasey Kahne was passing under Suárez and he pulled up across his nose too soon and clipped him, causing them to both crash out of the race. After this the pit stop strategy became hard to follow as the teams went onto alternate tire and fuel management strategies.

Under this third caution, Keselowski pitted while Truex and about eight others stayed out, dropping Keselowski back to tenth for the restart. When Truex pitted out of the lead on lap 159, Keselowski followed soon after but again, Truex had the advantage – albeit back in 14th place just ahead of Keselowski. This allowed Kyle Busch, who had been penalized earlier for pitting too soon under the first caution to cycle up into the lead but this was an illusory gain because he gave this up when, during the fourth caution which came on lap 187 for debris, he pitted and the real challengers – Truex, Jones and Kenseth – were able to stay out and take up their positions at the front again. But by now Keselowski’s race was falling apart and he took the restart on lap 191 back in tenth place.

As the final ten laps wound down it looked like Truex was still in command and set to win the race ahead of Jones and Kenseth but, on lap 196, Michael McDowell and Paul Menard tangled and brought out the final yellow. The race was red-flagged while the track crew took their time to clean up a big oil spill and now we were going into overtime.

On that final restart, it all fell apart for Truex when Larson shot up through the middle between Truex and Jones to take the lead and win the race.

The next MENCS race is on Aug. 19 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

NASCAR XFINITY Series Mid-Ohio Challenge at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car CourseSam Hornish takes a dominant win in the Penske Mustang at Mid-Ohio

Lexington, OH, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017: Sam Hornish who made his name as an Indy car driver with three series championships and who drove for a number of years for Roger Penske in Indy cars and in Cup now makes only occasional appearances driving Penske’s Xfinity car. On this weekend when the Xfinity series regulars could expect that, with the Cup drivers otherwise occupied over in Michigan, they would be fighting it out among themselves for the honours Hornish spoiled that plan, starting from the pole in the No. 22 Penske car and leading 61 of the race’s 75 laps on his way to a dominant win.

On the restart after the first caution, which came after only thee laps when Cole Custer’s car seemed to have some kind of oil leak problem and it was towed off the track, Hornish had the lead ahead of Elliott Sadler, Blake Koch, Daniel Hemric and James Davison. Davison is an Australian road racer and sometime IndyCar driver who filled in for the injured Sebastien Bourdais at the Indy 500 this year and who drove a rent-a-racer in the Xfinity race at Road America last year.

On lap 17, another rent-a-ride driver, Matt Bell, crashed heavily into the barrier off the first turn bringing out the yellow and then the red flag while his car was ignominiously towed away and the barrier rebuilt. During this extended yellow, Hornish made a pre-emptive pit stop and handed over the race lead to Koch which gave the Stage #1 win to Koch – but after the Stage-end pit stops Hornish was back in the lead, ready to go. When the second Stage ended at lap 40, Hornish was still in front and he came out of this pit stop sequence in second place behind Hemric who is a rookie in this series, having signed on with Richard Childress this year after driving Ford trucks for Brad Keselowski’s team last year.

After this, Hemric seemed to be a threat to Hornish’s dominance – especially on restarts – and he took the lead twice during the remaining laps but Hornish was able to claw his way back past him to regain the lead both times.

A pair of yellows came close together on lap 66 and lap 69. The second was the result of a big melee at the top of – the esses when a mid-field car turned sideways over the top of the hump and collected almost everyone who was behind – a total of ten cars. Another red flag. On the restart, Hemric continued to hound Hornish but he was able to hold him off and he stayed in front to the checkered flag.

Hemric finished second, 1.3 seconds behind, while Matt Tifft was third, James Davison a laudable fourth, and Andy Lally, another experienced road racer, finishing fifth. Given that Hornish is not entered to run in any other NASCAR series this year, he is eligible to earn championship points in this series – and (so far as I can figure it) this win gives him an automatic entry into the season-end playoffs. Penske’s two Cup drivers cannot drive in the playoff rounds so perhaps Hornish will have an entry into the playoffs via this win – and, who knows, he might take fire in the playoffs and win the championship. Wouldn’t that be something? Probably there’s a wrinkle in the NASCAR rules that would obviate this possibility but I’m not aware of it.

The next Xfinity Series race is at Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug. 18.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series LTi Printing 200 at Michigan International SpeedwayBubba Wallace makes a drop-in return to the trucks and wins

Brooklyn, MI, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017: Darrell (‘Bubba’) Wallace has been having an up-and-down year. Here at Michigan he had a one-off drive for Matthew Miller’s MDM Motorsports team and he turned that opportunity into a win. This was his sixth win in this series but he hasn’t driven here since 2014 when he was driving for Kyle Busch and he won at Homestead that year in his final race of the season.

Earlier this year, Wallace was driving in the Xfinity Series for Roush before he accepted an offer from Petty to fill-in for the injured Aric Almirola in their Cup car. He drove four races with them without blotting his copy-book until Almirola returned but by then Roush had shut down the Xfinity team and Wallace was left without a ride –even though he had continued to produce credible performances. This MDM deal came along at just the right time.

But, here at MIS, Wallace did not seem to be a threat to the series regulars. He qualified in ninth place and he never led a lap in the first 89 laps of the 100-lap race. Coming off the fifth and final caution on lap 73, Austin Cindric took the lead ahead of Christopher Bell, Wallace, Ryan Truex and Matt Crafton. On lap 89, Bell made his move and passed Cindric for the lead but almost immediately Wallace dropped low on the track and dove under both of them to shoot out into the lead. It looked like a dicey move and one that was unlikely to succeed but somehow he managed to hang on and lead the field around. Now with just ten laps left, Cindric was hounding him but the tag team of Bell and Kyle Busch caught and passed him before they went after Wallace. Meanwhile Cindric lost another position to Truex, dropping to fifth at the finish.

Although Busch challenged his teammate Bell for second, Bell held him off to come home second, 0.176 seconds behind Wallace. Busch was third, Truex fourth and Cindric fifth.

Busch had started from tenth place and, after chasing Chase Briscoe and Crafton in the opening laps, he took over the lead on lap 16 and led for the next 47 laps, winning both of the first two Stages. On the restart after the second Stage he got together with Briscoe and they both had to pit top replace flat tires – dropping them both back out of contention. Busch was back up to speed in the final 25 laps and he made up most of his lost positions but he had to settle for third at the finish.

The MDM Motorsports team is fairly new and this was their first win – up against the might of the more established teams and drivers. Wallace’s strong drive up through the field and his daring pass to take the lead shows that he is a driver who can be competitive. This year, with the rising class of good, young drivers, more experienced drivers like Wallace stand the risk of being overlooked by team owners who opt for the flashy youngsters. Wallace has proven that he can drive well in any of the three NASCAR national classes and he deserves consideration to be given a full-time ride for next year.

The next NCWTS race is at Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug. 16.

NASCAR Pinty’s Series Le 50 Tours de Trois-RivieresTagliani holds off Ranger for the win

Trois-Rivieres, QC, Aug. 13, 2017: Alex Tagliani took the lead from the polesitter Andrew Ranger on lap 28 of the 50-lap race (which turned out to be a 54-lap race with overtime) and, despite Ranger’s best efforts, he held on to that lead to the end and through one overtime restart to win the race.

This was Tagliani’s first win here on the T-R street course and his first win in the series since last summer at Edmonton.

Marc-Antoine Camirand had another good result, finishing third ahead of L.P. Dumoulin and Alex Labbe. The 2016 champion Cayden Lapcevich finished in seventh place.

Coming away from T-R, Labbe continued to lead in the championship points standings, now with a 23-point margin over Kevin Lacroix (who finished 18th here after retiring with transmission problems). Lapcevich is third, ten points behind Lacroix.

The next NASCAR Pinty’s Series race is at Riverside International Speedway on Aug. 19.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup I Love New York 355 At The Glen at Watkins Glen InternationalFuel mileage wins the day for Truex – his fourth win this year

Aug. 6, 2017: In the end, it came down to fuel economy and Martin Truex proved to be the master, winning the race after those ahead had to stop for fuel – and he even had enough left to do donuts afterwards. Matt Kenseth, in what could be his final year in this series, finished in second place less than half a second behind him while Daniel Suárez took third-place honours. This was Suárez’ best finishing result in this his rookie year in Cup – and, of course, he was the rookie-of-the-race.

It was a very different story a few laps earlier when Brad Keselowski had a three-second lead over Truex and the gap was getting bigger as Truex was slowing to save fuel. With four laps to go in the 90-lap race, Truex had fallen back to third behind Ryan Blaney who was seven seconds behind the leader. But on the next lap Keselowski conceded defeat and pitted for fuel handing the lead to Blaney. One lap later, Blaney came in and this let Truex through into the lead but Kenseth and Suárez were close behind. On the final lap Truex made a couple of bobbles but he was just able to hold off Kenseth to take the checker in a near photo finish. Keselowski had incurred a pit stop penalty on that last pit stop and he was scored in 15th place. Blaney finished in eighth place just behind Kyle Busch.

If Kyle Busch did not have such an unlikeable persona, race fans would have felt sorry for him this day because at the start of the race, everything was going his way and then it all fell apart for him over and over – and he had to settle for a seventh-place result.

This weekend it had seemed as if Busch was on a roll. He was coming off a win at Indianapolis the week before. He had started from the front row in the Xfinity race on Saturday and he won it in dominant fashion. In qualifying for the Cup race earlier on Sunday afternoon, he won the pole. He led the first 21 laps of the Cup race, winning the first Stage . Then it started to go wrong.

Busch pitted under the yellow during the turnaround at the end of the first Stage but there was a problem with a lug nut getting stuck behind one of his wheels and he had to make a second pit stop. This left him taking the green back in 32nd place. Not to worry, he was the fastest car on the track and he started to slice his way back up through the field.

Fourteen laps later he had worked his way up to ninth place and he was back in contention with lots of time to get to the front. The yellow flew for a second time to mark the end of the second Stage on lap 40. The front0runners, including Busch did not pit and he took the restart in ninth place. He was on the charge again. Half way around – at the bus stop chicane – he had caught up to Keselowski and the two came together and both spun off the track. Keselowski recovered and kept going. Busch had made contact with the barrier and he pitted. After this Keselowski was in 32nd place and Busch in 34th, the last car on the lead lap, almost a full lap down.

When the third – and final – yellow flew on lap 53 it closed up the field. Keselowski, having pitted only a few laps earlier, opted to stay out and take the lead while Busch took this restart in 12th place. Immediately he started marching up through the field and within ten laps he was up to eighth place but then he stalled out.

Meanwhile Truex who had passed Keselowski for the lead started backing off and he let Keselowski back past him. He had apparently started to go into a serious fuel-saving mode while Keselowski kept on charging forward with an ever-increasing lead. It seemed as if everyone but the race leader was seriously saving fuel and his gap grew bigger and bigger. Busch who had pitted even earlier that Keselowski was the first to blink and he pitted for a splash of fuel on lap 85, falling back to 13th and any hopes he might have had of making this weekend a double win went out the window. The best he could do was seventh after those ahead of him slowed or pitted for fuel.

Will anyone shed a tear for Kyle Busch? Perhaps not. He still is one of the fastest drivers out there today and his win at Indianapolis assures him a place in the season-end playoffs. Don’t count him out yet; he could well be the champion again this year.

Milton, Ontario-based Gary Klutt raced at the Glen this weekend. He ran in the K&N series race on Friday where he finished 19th in a 20-car field. On Sunday he started in 34th place in a 37-car field and he finished 31st, one lap down on the race winner.

The next Monster Energy Cup Series race is on Aug. 13 at Michigan International Speedway.

NASCAR Xfinity Series Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen InternationalKyle Busch scores another Xfinity Series win – his 90th in this series

Aug. 5, 2017: Given that Kyle Busch has won more Xfinity races than any other driver, every time he wins another race he sets a new record. His win here at Watkins Glen was his 90th – but for a while it looked like anything but a sure thing after he had two setbacks on track.

Early in the race, on lap 14 of the 82-lap race, he overcooked it in the first turn and spun off the course but he somehow only lost two positions. Then he was penalized for a pit lane infraction on lap 23 and he was sent to the back of the field.

Busch was trailing Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano when the first stage ended at the end of lap 20 and he pitted when many others stayed out – the short distance between the stage ends and of the race as a whole encouraged alternate fuel/tire strategies. After this restart he was far back in about 20th place – but he was on an alternate pit strategy to many of those ahead of him – those who were going to need to make a pit stop soon. When Stage 2 ended on lap 40, he was up into fourth place behind Paul Menard, Logano and Keselowski – and after these three drivers pitted under the yellow, Busch was back in the lead again by lap 49. He relinquished the lead to Brendan Gaughan briefly when he pitted under green but, before long, Gaughan pitted and Busch cycled back into the lead ahead of the two Penske cars.

And that’s the way the final 19 laps played out with the only exception being that Logano passed Keselowski to take second-place honours behind Busch. Justin Allgaier finished fourth ahead of Menard and Kevin Harvick, Allgaier being the top-placed Xfinity Championship-eligible driver. After the race, they brought William Byron, who had finished in tenth place, in the media centre to be interviewed as the rookie-of-the-race.

The next Xfinity Series race is on Aug. 12 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Aug. 6, 2017: At the start of the Road America WeatherTech race it looked like the same old story. The No. 10 Ricky Taylor/Jordan Taylor Cadillac DP1 started from the pole and led the first 51 laps of what turned out to be a 71-lap race at the end of its 160-minute time allotment. But during the second caution, the No. 85 ORECA LMP2 of Misha Goikhberg/Stephen Simpson took the lead ahead of the No. 10 car and the No. 22 Nissan DPi of Johannes van Overbeek/Luis Felipe Derani.

When the No. 22 car pitted for fuel a few laps later it was now a battle between Jordan Taylor in the No. 10 car and Derani in the No. 22. Derani had gotten the upper hand on the Cadillac at the restart and he held on to take the win.

In GTLM, the honours went to Joey Hand/ Dirk Mueller in the No. 66 Ford GT ahead of the No. 912 Porsche 911 RSR of Patrick Pilet/Dirk Werner with the second Ford GT, the No. 67 of Ryan Briscoe/Richard Westbrook recovering from a slow start to finish third.

In GTD No. 96 BMW M6 GT3 of Jens Klingmann/Jesse Krohn was the class winner while Toronto’s Daniel Morad, in the No. 28 Porsche 911 was 28th overall and 11th in class.

The next IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race is at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on Sept. 24.

Aug. 5, 2017: The No. 59 Mustang of Dean Martin/Jack Roush Jr. may have started behind two other cars but they had the lead by the eighth lap of the 120-minute timed race. They were declared the winners after the race was cut short by rain and lightning. With 40 minutes to go in the race, it was red-flagged due to lightning in the area – and, by the time this threat has passed, there was not enough time left in the day’s schedule to allow the race to be resumed.

The No. 28 Porsche Cayman of Dillon Machavern/Dylan Murcott was scored second ahead of the No. 69 McLaren GT4 of Kenny Wilden from Oakville, Ontario and Rod Randall.

The ST class was won by the No. 25 Mazda MX-5 (the Gen 3 version) of Chad McCumbee/Stevan McAleer ahead of another MX-5, the No 27 car driven by Britt Casey Jr/Tom Long .

The next IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge race is at VIRginia International Raceway on Aug. 26.

Sunday, July 30, 2017: Mercedes' hopes of another championship year continued to fade in Hungary as Sebastian Vettel, albeit with a less-than-perfect car, led his teammate Kimi Räikkönen home to a solid one-two victory ahead of the Mercedes pair.

Vettel had qualified on the pole with Räikkönen alongside and ahead of the Mercedes duo of Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton – and, in the end, that's the way they finished the race. This win for Vettel extended his points lead over Hamilton to 14 points (202 points to 188).

The Red Bull teammates Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo had qualified alongside each other on the third row. Verstappen had a poor start and he momentarily fell back. In his anxiety to regain his place ahead of Ricciardo, he overdid it in the second turn and he understeered into the side of the other Red Bull, damaging that car – which made a big spin across the track and dropped a load of oil on the surface. This led to the inevitable safety car period and lots of recriminations from the Australian.

When the stewards levied a ten-second penalty on Verstappen for his mistake, his chances of a good finish looked doomed. But after he served the time during his only pit stop late in the mid-race pit stop cycle, he emerged from the pits in fifth place nearly 20 seconds behind Vettel, the race leader. But he made his best effort for the rest of the race and he closed that gap down to 13 seconds by the end of the race. But for that bad start and the ensuing penalty he might have finished in third place – or even as the race winner. Instead he ended up fifth behind the Ferrari and Mercedes freight train – while Ricciardo was gone on the first lap.

Vettel was complaining of a glitch in his steering which forced him cant the wheel to the side. Despite this he was able to hold off a cooperative Räikkönen who finished less that a second behind him. As for the Mercedes challenge, Hamilton argued via an off-and-on radio that he had the better chance of catching the two red cars ahead and the team asked Bottas to let him go through into third place. Hamilton did charge up closer to Räikkönen but he could never close the deal. On the final lap, as per his agreement with the team, Hamilton slowed and let Bottas back through into third place – no doubt hoping that the favour might be returned in a future race when the tables are turned.

Fernando Alonso, in the McLaren-Honda, was a season-best sixth – and he set the fastest lap in the race getting there. Perhaps Honda's prospects in F1 have been written off too soon ...

After Hungary, the F1 circus takes a four-week break but, as for the championship prospects, Vettel's chances to seize the title over Hamilton are still looking good although Mercedes continues to dominate the manufacturer's championship standings 357 points to 318.

The next round in the F1 championship will be the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday, August 27th.

Verizon IndyCar Honda Indy 200 at Mid-OhioNewgarden makes it two in a row at Mid-Ohio as he takes the lead in the championship race

Sunday, July 30, 2017: Josef Newgarden dominated the IndyCar race at Mid-Ohio, leading four times for a total of 73 of the race's 90 laps. He last took the lead on lap 67 and he was unchallenged the rest of the way to the checker. He took the flag five seconds ahead of a Penske teammate, Will Power. This was Newgarden's second win in a row, having won at Toronto two weeks before – and, with his win at Barber earlier in the year, he has a total of three wins in 2017.

This win moved him into the championship points lead with 453 points to Helio Castroneves' 446 and Scott Dixon's 445. While this is still close and there are more races yet to be run, Newgarden's chances of becoming the first American driver to win the title in this American series are looking good.

For sure, Newgarden's strong performances in the last two races are making him look like a champion - and a prospect to be a solid part of Team Penske for years to come.

Graham Rahal had a good race on what is, in a way, the family track and he finished in third place ahead of Simon Pagenaud and Takuma Sato. James Hinchcliffe ended up in 11th place.

The next round of the Verizon IndyCar series will be run at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, August 20th.

Sunday, July 30, 2017: Kyle Busch is arguably the best driver in the NASCAR Cup series today but he had gone a full year since winning his last race – the 2016 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis. Despite having shown lots of speed and leading many laps this year, he had never managed to lead the most important one – the final lap. Under NASCAR's current lottery-style championship schema, wins in the pre-playoff season have taken on a much increased importance so this failure to close the deal was weighing heavily – at least on the minds of the commentators. In actual fact, he had been accumulating lots of points and he looked sure to qualify for the playoffs even without a pre-playoff win.

But Busch put that to rest when he won here at Pocono, having led 74 of the race's 160 laps. Martin Truex, in the Furniture Row satellite team Toyota, had again been a strong contender, leading 31 laps, but in the final laps after the last round of pit stops under green, Danny Hamlin was leading a foursome of himself, Kevin Harvick, Busch and Truex before Busch started making things happen.

He came up behind Harvick, who was unexpectedly slow through the corner. Inadvertently, Busch gave him a little bump as he dove under him for the position – and he was back in the lead on lap 144 - and he went on to take the checker by a six-second margin over Harvick, Truex and Hamlin. Brad Keselowski, who had taken the lead briefly during that final pit stop cycle finished in fifth place.

The MENCS series will be back next week with its annual run at Watkins Glen on Sunday, August 6th.

NASCAR XFINITY Series U.S. Cellular 250 at Iowa SpeedwayPreece converts his promising second place in Loudon into a race win at Iowa

Saturday, July 29, 2017: Ryan Preece is like many other enthusiastic race drivers who are trying to make their mark in stock car racing. In contrast to the current batch of instant-success upstarts, he's 26 years old and he has been racing in one series or other for a while now. Notably, he has run several years in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour where he won the championship in 2013 and he ran the full Xfinity season last year, albeit without any great results.

This year he has taken a different tack. Instead of spreading his funding across the full season and ending up with uncompetitive equipment, he has opted to concentrate on just two races and to buy a ride with the best team in the series – the Joe Gibbs team. His first race was at Loudon two weeks ago where he turned heads with his competitive performance which produced a second-place finish.

This week at Iowa was his second race of the two. He won the pole. He led for 141 laps of what became 254 laps with overtime, including the final 78 laps. So, given equipment the same as Kyle Busch drives in this series, he has been able to produce similar results. Surely, when team owners are looking to hire new drivers, Ryan Preece is one they need to consider seriously – not just those who are part of the current crop of 12-year-old prodigies.

Given that this race in Iowa was a straight conflict with the two races at Pocono the same weekend, the Cup carpetbaggers were unable to manage the logistics of running competitively at both venues simultaneously. This opened the door to stand-in hopefuls like Preece. Kyle Benjamin is another part-time hopeful although not quite 20 yet. He has been driving a various series, notably the K&N East series where finished second in the championship standings last year. This Xfinity race was his fourth start in a Joe Gibbs car and he has started from the front row in every one of these four races.

This time, driving the No. 18 which Kyle Busch has made famous, he only led five laps behind the dominant Preece but, on the final restart in overtime, he started alongside Preece and he battled him to the overtime line and to the checker a lap later, trailing him by a mere 0.054 seconds at the finish. He's another young driver who is looking at a long and successful career in stock car racing.

Brian Scott finished third ahead of Brennan Poole and Cole Custer. Points-leader Elliott Sadler raced near the front most of the day, but ended up 12th. He maintains a 54-point lead over William Byron, who finished ninth.

Justin Allgaier took the lead during the second Stage and he won that Stage – but his team opted for an alternate pit-stop strategy which might have paid off if the yellows had fallen to their advantage but they did not and in the end he was shuffled back to 20th at the finish. A gracious Allgaier made a quiet point to come over to victory circle and congratulate Preece on his win.

The next Xfinity race will be next Saturday, August 5th, at Watkins Glen.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Overton's 150 at Pocono RacewayBell's Pocono win is his fourth win this year

Saturday, July 29, 2017: Kyle Busch started alongside the pole winner Jordan Anderson and he dominated the first 32 laps of the short 60-lap race. But after dropping back into the pack at the end of the second Stage, he tangled with Justin Haley and crashed out of the race. He was not a happy camper and Haley would be wise to stay clear of Busch in any upcoming races.

This left it up to his driver, Christopher Bell, in a second KBM truck to come through and take the win, leading just the final four laps of the race. John Hunter Nemechek had been leading since the final caution – for Busch's crash – but Bell came up and passed him with four laps to go. By the time Nemechek took the checker, Ben Rhodes and Ryan Truex had also passed him for position, dropping him to a fourth-place finish.

This is Bell's fourth win this year and he took over the lead in the championship points race ahead of Johnny Sauter who finished fifth here.

NASCAR Pinty's Series Western Swing

Saskatoon Velocity Prairie Thunder Twin 100s Race #1, July 26, 2017: Alex Labbe held off D.J. Kennington in an overtime shootout at the Wyant Group Raceway near Saskatoon. Cayden Lapcevich finished third ahead of Donald Theetge and Gary Klutt. Labbe had taken the lead on lap 75 and, despite Kennington's best efforts on that final restart, he held on to take the win.Saskatoon Velocity Prairie Thunder Twin 100s Race #2, July 26, 2017: Defending series champion Cayden Lapcevich won the second round of the two-race double header here in Saskatoon. He passed D.J. Kennington on Lap 77 of the 100-lap race and went on to win. This was his second win of the season and fifth of his career – more importantly, it moved him back into championship contention. He left here in third place in the points standings with 274 points behind Kevin Lacroix (300 points) and Alex Labbe (298 points).Edmonton LUXXUR 300, July 29, 2017: Alex Labbe won the third round of the Western Swing of Pinty's races, beating Donald Theetge to the checker by a mere 0.6 seconds. Cayden lapcevich finished third, Alex Tagliani fourth and L.P. Dumoulin was fifth. Coming west, Labbe had been second in the championship points standings but, after two wins and a second-place finish, Labbe now had the lead in the championship points standings with 346 points ahead of Lacroix (336) and Lapcevich (315). After this quick trip out west, the series will return to the east with the road-course race at Trois-Rivières, Québec on Sunday, August 13th.

FIA Formula E Hydro-Québec Montréal ePrix

Race #1, July 29, 2017: Lucas di Grassi came into this final weekend of the current Formula E season trailing Sebastian Buemi by 10 points. Buemi had been the dominant driver earlier in the season but he had skipped the two-race weekend in Brooklyn to drive a Toyota in the WEC at the Nürburgring. (I guess we know where his priorities lie.). Here at Montreal it all went bad for Buemi.In practice Saturday morning he crashed his car in the very tight chicane just before the pit straight severely damaging the car. This series uses a pair of cars for each driver in each race, so he had the alternate car available for qualifying and he qualified second behind di Grassi. This gave di Grassi a valuable bonus of three extra points and kept Buemi from getting them. However, the battery in the crashed car had been damaged and they had to replace it when they prepared another car for him for the race. Under the rules, this cost him ten grid positions so now he was starting back mid-pack.At the start, di Grassi shot out into the lead, a lead he was to hold until the finish at the end of the 35-lap race. Buemi initially fell back a few positions but then he started working his way forward on this track which is so tight that it is almost impossible to pass anyone – yet, by the end of the race, he was up into fourth place and still in contention for the championship. Jean-Eric Vergne finished second while Stephane Sarrazin was third.Then the blow came. In post-race qualifying the scrutineers found that Buemi's second car – the one that the team had thrown together as a replacement after the morning accident – was underweight and he was disqualified from the results – and he lost any points he had earned with that fourth place finish.

Race #2, July 29, 2017: Come Sunday, di Grassi had the championship pretty much in the bag. Especially after qualifying, when di Grassi qualified fifth fastest while Buemi was back in 14th. And this is a circuit on which passing is almost impossible.In the race, Vergne came home the winner ahead of Felix Rosenqvist and Jose Maria Lopez. Di Grassi finished an unremarkable seventh but Buemi was farther back in 11th, so the championship was ceded to di Grassi who ended up with 181 points to Buemi's 157.